NBA star Nikola Jokic has revealed he has tested positive for coronavirus – just days after embracing Novak Djokovic at a basketball match.
The Serbian star, 25, was spotted embracing countryman Djokovic – who recently revealed he’d returned a positive test after his calamitous, ill-advised tennis tournament.
Denver Nuggets star Jokic, in the discussion for this season’s Most Valuable Player award, has now revealed he is suffering from the virus.
Jokic and Djokovic bumped into each other and shared a hug in their nation’s capital, Belgrade, on June 11 at a basketball match.
There is no indication either gave coronavirus to the other.
But Jokic’s positive test no means his return to the USA will be delayed ahead of the 2019-20 season’s restart at Disney World, Florida.
Reports claim the 7ft Serbian big man will be cleared to head to the States next week.
Jokic is said to be asymptomatic, but will now need to return two negative tests for coronavirus in his native Serbia before being allowed to leave.
On his arrival in Denver, he will then need to be screened and tested once again.
It’s a huge blow for Jokic who had spent his lockdown well, shedding nearly THREE STONE to show off a more lean, mean frame.
Not known for his strength or athleticism, Jokic is a rare breed – a centre able to carry the ball like a point guard and is one of the best playmaking and three-point shooting bigs in the NBA.
Now trimmed down, he may be able to do more damage in the paint and crash the glass harder to pull down even more rebounds, despite already averaging over ten per game this season.
SHOCK-OVIC
Meanwhile, Djokovic was forced to apologise for hosting a tennis tournament in Serbia after a host of big-name stars, including himself, contracted coronavirus.
The infamous anti-vaxxer put on the shambolic Adria Tour – with the likes of Nick Kyrgios highly critical of him.
The tennis world No1 was slammed for his “boneheaded” decision to host the tour – ignoring strict social-distancing rules and even dancing topless in a nightclub.
Fellow pros Grigor Dimitrov, Viktor Troicki and Borna Coric have all tested positive for coronavirus after taking part in the event.
Djokovic has now posted an apology on Instagram after so many high-profile stars tested positive.
He wrote: “I am so deeply sorry our tournament has caused harm.
“Everything the organisers and I did the past month, we did with a pure heart and sincere intentions.
“We believed the tournament met all health protocols and the health of our region seemed in good condition to finally unite people for philanthropic reasons.
“We were wrong and it was too soon. I can’t express enough how sorry I am for this and every case of infection.”
