Utah Valley University men’s basketball head coach Todd Phillips announced on June 3 the signing of Jovan Nekić, a 6-foot-10, 235-pound power forward from Belgrade, Serbia. Nekić will join the Wolverines for the upcoming season as they prepare for their first year in The Big West Conference.
Nekić arrives at Utah Valley after competing professionally in Serbia. Phillips said, “Jovan brings added size to our team. At 6-foot-10 and 235 pounds, he gives us size and physicality in the frontcourt. What jumps out on film is how well he moves for a player his size. We’re excited to add Jovan to the program.”
Nekić developed through two of Serbia’s top basketball programs, KK Partizan and KK Dynamic, before gaining senior-level professional experience. Most recently, he played in Serbia’s Basketball League of Serbia (KLS) and the Serbian Second Senior League during the 2025-26 season, averaging 7.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 57.1 percent from the field.
He demonstrated his potential with performances such as a game where he recorded 20 points and 11 rebounds. Known for his mobility and basketball IQ, Nekić continued to develop against veteran professional competition at a young age.
Before turning professional, Nekić competed in the Adidas Next Generation Tournament—one of Europe’s leading showcases for elite young basketball talent—which helped prepare him for collegiate play in the United States. His older brother Lazar also played Division I basketball at Loyola Marymount after starting his career in Serbia.
Nekić joins Utah Valley as they enter The Big West Conference with an increasingly international roster under Phillips.
