Apr 14, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic (20) shoots against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

'Out of Shape and Can Barely Run' – Utah Jazz Center Draws Harsh Criticism From National Team Coach Amid EuroBasket Preparations

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Aug 12, 2025 10:55 AM ET

Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkic recently drew the ire of his Bosnia and Herzegovina head coach amid the national team’s winless run ahead of the FIBA EuroBasket tournament.

Following their 102-90 loss against Montenegro, head coach Adis Beciragic criticized some of his players’ fitness, including the Utah Jazz big.

“(Jusuf) Nurkic is out of shape and can barely run,” Beciragic said about Nurkic, who scored 15 points in the losing effort via BasketNews. “We have to prepare better for the games. We missed 18 free throws against Serbia. Montenegro is also a very good team, and I hope we will be able to convince the players to understand where the problems are.”

Dec 27, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic (20) against the Dallas Mavericks at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The odds are stacked against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the upcoming FIBA EuroBasket, as they are bunched with Spain, Italy, Greece, Georgia, and Cyprus in Group C of the continental tournament.

Utah Jazz plan to keep recently acquired trade piece, claims insider

In other Utah Jazz-related news, the team is reportedly keen on keeping Georges Niang this upcoming season. Niang, acquired by the Boston Celtics earlier this offseason, was traded back to the Utah Jazz in exchange for RJ Luis Jr. and an $8 million trade exception.

Mar 20, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Georges Niang (20) reacts after he was whistled for a technical foul in the second quarter against the Miami Heat at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

“Sources say Utah plans to keep veteran big man Georges Niang after reacquiring Niang this week in a trade with Boston,” Fischer wrote on The Stein Line.

“The Jazz also acquired second-round picks from the Celtics in 2027 and 2031 in the trade that sent two-way guard RJ Luis to Boston,” he added.