Serbian Basketball Star Nikola Kusturica in High Demand from NCAA Programs

As Gonzaga continues to seek fresh talent for its 2026-27 lineup, they have set their sights on Nikola Kusturica, a promising 17-year-old wing player. This young athlete has been making waves after competing with both the senior and U-22 teams of FC Barcelona during the past season.

Kusturica, hailing from Serbia, is not eligible for the NBA Draft until 2028 and is reportedly contemplating a two-year college stint. Alongside Gonzaga, he has also attracted attention from prestigious schools such as Kentucky, Michigan, and UCLA. According to Jeff Goodman from the Field of 68, Kentucky currently leads the race for Kusturica's commitment. "He's down to three schools it sounds like, it sounds like it's Kentucky, Gonzaga and Michigan probably," Goodman stated during a recent YouTube discussion. "But Kentucky is the clear favorite at this point and I had somebody tell me involved in his recruitment ... they think the money is huge here, huge for Kentucky."

Despite Kentucky's strong position, other sources, including 247Sports.com, suggest that Kusturica's recruitment is far from settled. Initially, analyst Travis Branham indicated a favorable outlook for Kentucky but later revised this view, suggesting that other institutions are now more significant contenders for the talented player.

Kusturica's options may extend beyond the aforementioned programs. He is also considering a return to FC Barcelona or potentially spending a year at Spire Academy, a prep school in Ohio, according to basketball reporter Ant Wright.

His impressive track record includes earning the Most Valuable Player award at the 2025 FIBA U-16 EuroBasket, where he led Serbia to a gold medal, averaging 20.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. In his recent season with Barcelona's U-22 squad, he recorded averages of 13.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists across 19 games, while also making nine appearances for the senior team.

Gonzaga has already secured commitments from four international players for the upcoming season, showcasing their ongoing dedication to building a diverse roster. Notable additions include sophomore point guard Mario Saint-Supery from Spain and center Massamba Diop from Senegal, along with recent commitments from Spanish forward Izan Almansa and French guard Juwan Ekanga Ehawa.