Zoran Nikolić: "I'm Playing the Best Basketball of My Career"
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Loading... - Maya Costa
- 01 Apr 2025
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SC Derby basketball player Zoran Nikolić recently delivered one of the standout performances of his career in a thrilling match against Igokea in the AdmiralBet ABA League. With three consecutive wins under their belt, SC Derby has shown impressive offensive play, culminating in a nail-biting overtime victory over Igokea, 111-109.
In the match against Igokea, Nikolić played a pivotal role, scoring 22 points—just one shy of his personal best—and grabbing 13 rebounds. He also matched his career high in steals with three, contributing four assists and drawing eight fouls, which led to a remarkable 40 index points, earning him the title of Most Valuable Player of the round.
Reflecting on the game, Nikolić stated, “We started well, we had everything in our hands for 30 minutes, then they turned it around, so the game went into overtime. Lately, we have been playing well in attack, we have good ball flow, and we have open shots. I think we have raised the level of play a lot, which is evident through three wins in a row.”
Nikolić expressed satisfaction with his performance this season, noting, “I’m sure I could have done even better in some other games. I raised my level of play; I think I’m playing the best basketball of my career.” He emphasized the motivation that comes from setting new records, stating that it drives him to improve with each match.
In addition to his scoring and rebounding, Nikolić has made significant strides in the all-time blocks leaderboard, currently ranking seventh with 128 blocks. He shares second place for the most blocks in a single game, a testament to his defensive prowess.
Before the season began, Nikolić made a deliberate choice to join SC Derby, seeking a role as the team’s primary center. “I told my agent that I wanted to stay in the role I had in Igokea and Vojvodina. There were other options, but I said that if there was a possibility of being a first-choice player in a team, I wanted to,” he explained. As the season progresses, he remains committed to elevating his game even further.
With five rounds left in the regular season, SC Derby has already secured its place in the league, but Nikolić is focused on finishing strong. “We have 10 wins; we could have had maybe more. We are trying to make up for those losses by the end of the season and win some games that are not expected of us,” he said.
The upcoming schedule poses a challenge for SC Derby, with tough matches against Budućnost, Red Star, and Cedevita-Olimpija. Despite the pressure, Nikolić believes the team can capitalize on the situation. “We don’t want to give up on the playoffs. Anything is possible. The other teams have a tough schedule too. It’s an advantage for us that we’re looking forward to the next three games with no pressure,” he noted.
In addition to his club commitments, Nikolić is also focused on the Montenegrin national team, which recently learned its EuroBasket group opponents. Montenegro will face Germany, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, and Great Britain in Group B, with the goal of advancing to the knockout stage.
“Germany and Lithuania are the favorites, but it all depends on what teams they come with. Great Britain has been playing well for the last few years. Sweden has a good, uncomfortable team, and Finland has good players,” he said. Nikolić remains optimistic about Montenegro’s chances, stating, “We can compete. The group is not easy, but it is not a group of death either. I hope we will be in the strongest squad. Then we would have a great chance of reaching the round of 16.”
Zoran Nikolić’s recent performances highlight his growth as a player and his commitment to SC Derby and the Montenegrin national team. As he continues to play at a high level, both he and his team are poised to make a significant impact in the remainder of the season and beyond.
