Apr 28, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson (9) scores past Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (32) in the first quarter during game four for the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Erik Spoelstra Expected To Watch Miami Heat Players Up Close In EuroBasket

Originally posted on Miami Heat on SI
By Ethan J. Skolnick | Last updated Aug 18, 2025 8:15 PM ET

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra spent much of his offseason refreshing in Hawaii.

But now it's back to basketball, and after the Miami Heat coach checked on Ke'lel Ware and others in Las Vegas for summer league -- surprising many when he called Ware out for lack of "professionalism" -- he's now in Europe to watch a few of his other players compete in EuroBasket 2025.

That includes forward Nikola Jovic for favored Serbia, guard Pelle Larsson for Sweden and forward Simone Fontecchio for Italy. All three have fared well in warmups and qualifying -- Jovic has been starting next to Nikola Jokic, Larsson has shown the scoring and defensive skills he displayed in summer league, and Fontecchio appears to have his shooting form back after a down season.

Pelle Larsson highlights vs Portugalpic.twitter.com/x31b2VSuWO
— Pelle Larsson Muse (@pelle_muse) August 17, 2025

Spoelstra was excited to see how Jovic progressed playing for a demanding Serbian coach; he could start for the Heat this season or, at the very least, be the sixth man as Miami is short on front court options, especially those with his versatile offensive skill set. Larsson is slated for the rotation; the question is whether he or third-man year Jaime Jaquez, Jr. will get more minutes. Fontecchio is a wild card, but the Heat have decided not to waive-and-stretch him before the August 29th deadline, meaning that the Italian will likely be at training camp at Florida Atlantic University in October.

Of the three, Jovic has the best chance to go far, simply because of the relative strength of the Serbian squad. But it's valuable experience for all, and the coach will take it all back to Miami, for his consideration later.

This article first appeared on Miami Heat on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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