Wolverines Add Serbian Standout Jovan Nekic

6/3/2026 3:30:00 PM

OREM—Utah Valley University men's basketball head coach Todd Phillips has announced the signing of Jovan Nekić, a 6-foot-10, 235-pound power forward from Belgrade, Serbia, who will join the Wolverines for the upcoming season.

Nekić comes to Utah Valley after competing professionally in Serbia, bringing size, skill, and international experience to a Wolverine program preparing for its first season in The Big West Conference.

"Jovan brings added size to our team," said Phillips. "At 6-foot-10 and 235 pounds, he gives us size and physicality in the frontcourt. What jumps out on film is how well he moves for a player his size. We're excited to add Jovan to the program."

A native of Belgrade, Serbia, Nekić developed through two of the country's top basketball programs, KK Partizan and KK Dynamic, before gaining senior-level professional experience in one of Europe's premier basketball development environments.

Most recently, Nekić competed in Serbia's Basketball League of Serbia (KLS), the nation's top professional league, while also playing in the Serbian Second Senior League. During the 2025-26 season, he averaged 7.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 57.1 percent from the field.

The 6-foot-10 forward showcased his potential with several strong performances, including a 20-point, 11-rebound outing. Known for his mobility, basketball IQ, rebounding ability, and feel for the game, Nekić continued to develop against veteran professional competition at a young age.

Prior to his professional career, Nekić competed in the prestigious Adidas Next Generation Tournament, one of Europe's top showcases for elite young basketball talent. His experience against high-level international competition helped prepare him for the next step in his basketball journey.

Basketball runs in the Nekić family. His older brother, Lazar Nekić, played Division I basketball at Loyola Marymount after beginning his career in Serbia.

He joins a Utah Valley program preparing for its inaugural season in The Big West Conference and adds another international piece to a Wolverine roster that continues to attract talent from around the globe under Phillips.

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