He’s the first ever European Basketballer to have played in 17 different countries and on 5 continents. As a youth, he attended a Basketball Development Academy in Serbia that also featured CSKA Moscow and Serbian international, Milos Teodosic – the man who gave the Boomers fits in the recent Rio Olympics.

In Big V season 2015/16, we had Nikola Kuga join the Eagles and become part of the DV family. During his time here, Nikola took time in learning and acclimating to how Basketball is played in Australia – but was invested in the club from day one.

Nikola was an on court coach at our Northern Elite Academy Training (NEAT) Program, our Northern Basketball Camps and did visits to Junior Domestic clubs where he connected well with the athletes and gave them exposure to what a warm up and skills based training session looked like in Europe. There were many unique drills and exercises used, but one thing was very clear – Nikola had an energy and passion to help our athletes improve. This core trait of his has had Nikola gain FIBA coaching certification since returning home to Serbia - which will allow him to make the transition into coaching once his playing career winds up.

After his time at Diamond Valley, Nikola took on an intensive training and strength and conditioning program (Highlights seen here: http://bit.ly/2dCeYt3) to continue to evolve as a player and went on to take a short contract in Germany, then sign with Al Moutahed in the Lebanese Basketball League, the team where current Miami Heat NBA player Hassan Whiteside played in recent years. In season 2016, he averaged 9.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per game – including hitting 6 three pointers in a 20 point, 4 rebound effort against Sagesse Beirut (highlights of his season can be seen here: http://bit.ly/2e6S8w1).

Nikola speaks fondly of his time at the Eagles - the friends he made and the experience he had in Australia, and often stays in contact people at Diamond Valley to check in and see how the club is travelling. His playing journey continues currently as he has just signed on to play for a team in Portugal, adding yet another country to the list that the sport has allowed him to experience.