International talent Filip Jovic commits to Auburn

AUBURN — Serbian-born forward Filip Jovic has committed to Auburn.

The 6-foot-9 big man is 20-years old and just finished his fourth season of international basketball with club KK Mega Basket — the same European club that produced NBA superstar Nikola Jokić.

Auburn Live first reported Jovic as a name of serious interest on May 8.

By May 16, Jovic was the top candidate to fill another “big man” slot for the Tigers.

Associate head coach Steven Pearl targeted Jovic and took the lead in landing the Tigers’ newest addition.

According to Auburn sources, based on international recruit rankings relied upon for evaluations, Jovic is the No. 15-ranked available international prospect among potential NCAA recruits. Jovic is rated a high-major rotation/starter prospect.

While the rest of Auburn’s incoming class reported to campus over the Memorial Day weekend, Jovic is expected to arrive at a later date. He is expected to be on campus before the season, but will miss some early workout time due to the international schedule.

In each of the last four seasons, Jovic has averaged over 10 points per game. He’s fresh off averaging 12 points and four rebounds per game at the age of 19, and projects as a “four” man for the Tigers.

Jovic shot over 57 percent from the field and nearly 70 percent from the free-throw line last season in the Adriatic League (Liga ABA), a top-tier regional men’s professional basketball league. The league is part of FIBA Europe.

In a game against the G League United last September, a team formed from selected players of the NBA G League that represents the league in exhibition games and international tournaments, Jovic scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds.

In 2022, Jovic played in the U17 World Cup. He played in five games and averaged 12 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.

In 2023, he played in the U18 Euro Championship. Jovic played in four games, averaging 10 points, 5.2 rebounds and two blocks per game, helping lead his team to the championship.

Then in 2024, he played in the U20 Euro Championship. Jovic played in five games, averaging 14.8 points, three rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.

Heading into the U20 Euro Championship, FIBA wrote this about Jovic:

“Nikola Topic certainly took the spotlight in Serbia’s gold-medal run at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2023, however, Filip Jovic was equally as masterful. He averaged 12.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game on tremendous shooting efficiency during the Group Phase, before suffering an injury in the first quarter of their Round of 16 game against Denmark, which kept him on the sidelines for the rest of the tournament.

“Jovic is a strong interior presence who is able to finish pick-and-roll plays around the basket with his size and strength, but he’s also fluid and creative enough to score on post ups. Defensively, he shows impressive moments as a rim protector, being able to contest and block shots both as a primary and help-side defender. The 19 year old forward can also contribute in the perimeter with his tremendous fluidity as a driver and an improved shooting stroke.”

Jovic joins KeShawn Murphy, Keyshawn Hall, Elyjah Freeman, Kevin Overton and Emeka Opurum as transfers into the Tigers’ program this offseason. They join previous signees Abdul Bashir from the JUCO ranks, along with Kaden Magwood, Sebastian Williams-Adams and Simon Walker from the high-school ranks.

If Tahaad Pettiford returns, Auburn would be sitting at 11 scholarship players.

Auburn Live reported the latest on Pettiford on Monday via sources inside Pettiford’s camp.

If Pettiford doesn’t return, the Tigers will be sitting on 10, and will likely target another point guard, whether that is a Power conference transfer or another international prospect.

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