Photo: FIBA/YouTube

Serbia’s EuroBasket 2025 campaign ended far earlier than expected. Despite entering the tournament as one of the top favorites for the gold medal, boasting three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić, the team never lived up to its billing.

Injuries plagued the roster, and the Round of 16 clash in Riga saw them fall to Finland, a shocking exit for a team many expected to reach the final stages.

Back in Belgrade, head coach Svetislav Pešić first insisted that he had no intention of stepping down, while the Serbian Federation denied speculation that it was preparing to part ways with him. Still, after reflection, the veteran coach ultimately decided to resign.

“It was a privilege to be the head coach of the Serbian national team, to train and lead the best Serbian basketball players,” Pešić told Politika.

“Taking responsibility and making decisions when you lead the Serbian national team is a huge challenge. I always tried to ensure that professionalism and expertise prevailed on the path to success. In the future, I want to continue to make my professionalism, knowledge, and dedication available to president Čović and to our basketball as a whole. However, the time has come to find a new coach who will be able to continue what we started in the previous period.”

While stepping aside, Pešić emphasized he will not be disappearing from Serbian basketball. Instead, he intends to help facilitate a smooth transition.

“I promised president Čović that I would do absolutely everything to fulfill the role he entrusted me with in the selection of the new head coach, and I will carry that out, as I always have – professionally, competently, and responsibly,” he said. “I will give the new coach my full support, assistance, and all of my experience from the past period.”