Serbia vs. Japan: Starting 5s and depth charts (July 21, 2024) | Exhibition Game
The Serbian men's national team will face off against Japan in a friendly match ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. It's Japan's final warm-up game for the Olympics, while Serbia will play one more fixture against Greece before beginning their campaign in Paris.
The Serbian team is coming off a big loss against Team USA in their last exhibition match. The three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic struggled, scoring 16 points and grabbing 11 rebounds but with poor efficiency. He shot 6-19 from the field, 0-4 from three, along with two turnovers.
The Serbian team finished in second place last year at the 2023 FIBA World Cup behind Germany, who just beat Japan in their last friendly match on Friday by a score of 104-83.
Before losing against Germany, Japan lost one against Australia, drew another, and then split the two games against South Korea.
They are led by LA Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, who had 19 points and five rebounds on 6-13 shooting in the loss to Germany. They also started Keisei Tominaga, a rookie guard from Nebraska who has signed with the Indiana Pacers, in an exhibition match against Germany. Tominaga averaged 15.1 points per game and shot 37% from three in his last season at Nebraska.
It's the first time the two teams have ever played each other in an international competition.
Japan is in Group B with France, Brazil, and Germany. They play their first match against Germany on July 27.
The Serbian team is in Group C with Team USA, South Sudan, and Puerto Rico. They play their first match against Team USA on July 28. They'll play one more exhibition game against Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece on Wednesday in preparation for the tournament.
Serbia vs. Japan starting 5s and depth chart
Serbia's starting lineup and depth chart for July 21
The Serbian team's expected starting lineup includes Jokic, Atlanta Hawks forward Bogdan Bogdanovic, Aleksa Avramovic, Ognjen Dobric, and Filip Petrusev.
Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic is rehabbing a knee injury but remains on the roster and may return to the team this summer.
Japan's starting lineup and depth chart for July 21
Along with Hachimura and Tominaga, Hirotaka Yoshii, Kawamura Yuki and Josh Hawkinson are expected to start. The Japanese roster also features forward Yuta Watanabe, who last played in the NBA for the Memphis Grizzlies.
The game is set for tip-off at 2:00 pm EST.