Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra revealed during the preseason that rookie Nikola Jovic hadn’t graduated from high school, and the 19-year-old confirmed that still hasn’t happened.
Jovic arrived in the United States after playing the last three seasons in Serbia. He skipped his final exam to prepare for the NBA draft and still needs to take it. He was going to finish his required courses over Zoom, but recently learned he will not be able to do that.
The 27th pick will be forced to return to Europe to take his final exams in person versus over Zoom calls, according to Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel.
Nikola Jovic says he still has not graduated from high school. He said it turns out he has to attend his final exams in person in Europe.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) March 3, 2023
Jovic was tasked with learning a new playbook upon joining the Heat last summer, while still keeping up with his studies. He will likely have to find some time over the summer to return home and take those tests.
He has missed the past two months of action due to a lower back stress reaction. He played sparingly prior to that injury and even spent some time in the G League with the Sioux Falls Skyforce with playing time limited in Miami.
Jovic dealt with the injury throughout the year and finally needed time to address it. He has shown he can contribute this season, and the team will certainly not rush him back into action too quickly.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=650261270]
[mm-video type=video id=01gsdysrvyk9yb4jc9xd playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01f1jxkahtwnvzepyp image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gsdysrvyk9yb4jc9xd/01gsdysrvyk9yb4jc9xd-f0dd261431663e06a01ea3a14b8b3b8a.jpg]