Heat’s Nikola Jovic preparing for summer reset after uneven rookie ride

MIAMI — A year ago, Nikola Jovic proved to be a fleeting summer-league tease for the Miami Heat.

That was when, on July 5, on the home floor of the Golden State Warriors, less than two weeks after he was selected at No. 27 in the 2022 NBA draft, the lanky 19-year-old forward dazzled with a 25-point performance that included 5-of-7 3-point shooting and nine rebounds against the Warriors’ summer roster.

And then, just as suddenly, summer school was over, when Jovic took a knee to the quad in the Heat’s next game that sidelined him for the balance of summer league.

Now, the process is about to start again, with the Heat opening training this week in Sacramento in advance of two games there at the California Classic and then at least five more summer-league games in Las Vegas.

This time Jovic returns bigger, with the question about whether also better, after a rookie season limited to 15 games mostly due to a lower-back stress reaction.

“I can’t say enough about what Niko’s done for himself, working with our strength team,” said Adam Simon, the Heat’s vice president of basketball operations and assistant general manager. “He’s still growing. His body is still taking shape. You know, we’re excited for the summer. I think he’s going to show all the work that he’s put in.

“Yeah, his body is great. It’s really incredible the time he’s put in and how dedicated he’s been, to making sure he’s in the best shape he can be this upcoming season.”

Listed at 6 feet 11, 225 pounds by the Heat, Jovic, now 20, said the progression has been more stark.

“I think I started at 220 or 222,” he said of last year’s arrival from Serbia. “Now I’m at 239.”

To a degree, Jovic arrived as a rookie seeking the easy way out, casting himself as a guard or forward, citing his unique and diverse perimeter skills.

The Heat have treated him otherwise during drill and skill sessions, working him almost exclusively against power players, including extensive pregame drilling during the playoffs against centers Orlando Robinson and Omer Yurtseven.

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When dislodged during those sessions, Jovic often would turn to assistant coaches seeking foul calls. Instead, the directive would be to do it again, do it stronger.

To the Heat’s training staff, Jovic already has the base to be cast as a power player, with that likely to be the role at summer league, in light of the team’s limited roster resources in the power rotation.

“As long as I can stay defending other guys, can defend different positions, I can be fast, I think carrying weight is not a problem,” he said.

Despite the lack of playing time as a rookie, Jovic had his moments, including eight starts. Overall, he averaged 5.5 points (.406 FG%, .947 FT%), 2.1 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 13.6 minutes per appearance.

On Nov. 16 against the Toronto Raptors, he became the youngest player (19 years, 160 days) to start a game in the franchise’s 35 seasons, surpassing the previous mark held by Tyler Herro (19 years, 276 days). The following game, he recorded career highs in points (18), free throws made (9) and attempted (10), and rebounds (6) against the Washington Wizards.

Through it all, he said he felt growth beyond his physique.

“I would say every part,” he said. “Physically, I’ve improved my shot a lot. I improved by being versatile and doing everything on the court.”

Now more summer school will follow, under the guidance of assistant coach Caron Butler, who will coach the Heat’s summer roster.

“We’ll work on everything,” Jovic said. “You never know in which ways I can help my team and in which way they need me to help them. So I just stay ready working on everything.”

Already there is ample encouragement, including a moment with fellow Serb Nikola Jokic, after Jokic’s Denver Nuggets defeated the Heat in the NBA Finals.

“He’s my friend. He’s happy for me,” Jovic said. “He gave me a little hug. He told me to keep working.”