Kusturica, from a precocious genius at Barça to earn more than LeBron James in the US at only 17 years old

Everything is going too fast Nikola Kusturicasurrounded by expectations and even money at his disposal. 17 years and after a time at Barça that has definitely put him on the world basketball map.

The 2.03 Serbian forward made his NCAA debut last night with the UCLA Bruins, contributing to the Los Angeles team’s victory at home against the Arizona Wildcats (84-75) with 9 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists in 39 minutes and starting. The Balkan also added 2 steals and 3 blocks, making up for a bad shooting day with 3/11 in shots and 0/5 in triples.

Kusturica went to debut against LeBron’s other son who plays basketball, Bryce James. He will earn more than his father with the two years and 12 million for which he has signed at UCLA, exceeding by a margin the 8 million that The King will receive between this season and the next with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Bryce, 19 years old and 1.96 meters tall, also made his college debut after a redshirt year in which he did not compete yet with the aim of focusing on his development so that he did not lose any season of eligibility. The brother of Bronny James He started but only played 6 minutes, registering one assist.

Nikola Kusturica left FC Barcelona last spring after three years at the Barça club, where he became the youngest player in history to score a basket in ACB at only 16 years and 162 days old. In addition, he led the Catalan team to win the Junior Euroleague against the real Madrid last year with his 20 points and 10 rebounds in the final.

The very same Nikola Jokic He praised his compatriot after he established that milestone of precocity against Manresa.

“I followed him a little in the U-16, he played really well and, of course, the whole history of Barça. It’s great that we still have good talent in Serbia, still producing some talents even if he doesn’t play for a Serbian team, but he still has some roots,” highlighted the triple MVP to MD.

The demanding UCLA coach, Mick Croninhighlighted the Serbian mentality.

“He wouldn’t have come here if he didn’t have a great attitude. He wants to be coached, he doesn’t want to be lied to. So everything went smoothly, it was magnificent. He works hard and is a tough kid, it’s hard to accept that he’s 17 years old. He’s determined to be a great player,” said Cronin, the coach who didn’t quite connect with Aday Mara the two years that he had the Spaniard under his command.

Kusturica falls in love with his versatility, quality with the ball and creating shots, but, above all, with his attitude. This is what young phenomena have that simmer in The Masia.