2024 NBA Draft Profile

Nikola

Djurisic

Round 243
Drafted By:Miami Heat
Position
F
Height/Weight
6-7 / 209 lbs
School/Club
KK Mega Basket (Serbia)
Country
Serbia
Status
International
Birthday
02/23/2004
Draft 2024

DRAFT TRADE:

Acquired by ATL in trade with MIA
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Overview

Djurisic made his professional debut in the 2020-21 season, playing for OKK Beograd in the Serbian top league and KK Mega Basket in the ABA Adriatic League. He’s been part of the Mega MIS system since the 2021-22 campaign, though he has constantly moved between the senior and the U19 teams. He was too good for the U19 level in 2022-23, as he averaged 26.5 points, 9.0 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game in two appearances, so he was promoted full-time to the senior squad, where he posted 13.3 points, 3.7 assists and 3.0 rebounds per contest in 22 games. The 2023-24 campaign was the first in which he played for only the senior team. He’s registered 26 appearances for Mega Basket in the 2023-24 ABA Adriatic League, averaging 14.4 points, 3.4 assists and 2.7 rebounds per game.

Analysis

Djurisic stands at 6-foot-8 and has excellent positional size, as his shooting touch and overall instincts resemble those of a shooting guard rather than those of a small forward. He’s an effective passer and can score at all three levels, often using his dribbling ability to create for himself but also showing vision to create for others. Djurisic had an excellent showing in the 2024 NBA Draft Combine, which certainly boosted his draft stock. Djurisic has top-notch shooting mechanics, and his size allows him to easily shoot over defenders, particularly when deployed in the backcourt. He needs to improve his decision-making and passing ability, but he’s shown promise there and could be a serviceable playmaker at the NBA level. One area where Djurisic needs improvement is on defense: he lacks lateral quickness to defend on the perimeter but he compensates for that with effort and above-average size.

Projection

Due to his professional experience and above-average shooting ability, Djurisic is considered a potential first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. He might need to refine some aspects of his game and adjust to the NBA’s physicality and work on his defensive instincts. Still, he has all the tools and fundamentals, particularly on offense, to eventually carve a role as a regular rotation in the NBA. He can knock down shots and stretch the floor as a second-unit scoring weapon or a regular starter in a best-case scenario.

— Profile by RotoWire