It took four consecutive unblemished efforts in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, but the Serbian National Team earned a bid to the 2016 Olympic Games just four weeks before their opening contest in Rio.
Leading the way for Serbia during the qualifiers was Kings acquisition Bogdan Bogdanovic, tallying impressive averages of 17 points, five rebounds and six assists in four games. In the squad’s deciding game versus Puerto Rico, Bogdanovic totaled game-highs of 26 points and eight assists en route to a 31-point victory and, most importantly, a trip to Brazil secured.
The 2014 NBA draftee impressed during Group A play with 13-plus points, but Serbia finished with a 2-3 record, earning them the fourth and final spot in bracket play with a match set versus top-ranked Croatia in the quarterfinals.
As single elimination began, No. 7 thrived, scoring a team-high 18 points on 7-of-11 from the field to go along with five assists and three steals. Led by the 6-foot-6 guard, Serbia advanced to the semifinals following a three-point victory over rival Croatia.
While his outside shot didn’t fall in the squad’s final two games, Bogdanovic found ways to contribute, earning teammates open looks through fluid ball movement and forcing turnovers with his off-ball defensive placement.
It wasn’t the ending that Bogdan and Serbia had envisioned, but sound play landed the group a second place finish, and for No. 7, the praise of a future Hall of Famer in Team USA Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski.
“In Bogdanovic they have one of the great shooters,” said Krzyzewski.
The U.S. coach wasn’t the only member of the American squad to take notice of the Serbian scorer, as Kings center DeMarcus Cousins sought him out following the championship contest.
“The future is bright,” wrote Cousins.
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