Jordan Nwora delivered a standout performance to power Crvena zvezda past Milano in the Crete preseason tournament, pouring in 23 points to spearhead a decisive fourth-quarter comeback.
Nwora proved to be the ultimate difference-maker as coach Ibon Navarro’s squad sealed the victory. With Milano put away, Crvena zvezda now advances to face Olympiacos in a high-stakes Crete tournament final. After the game, one of the EuroLeague’s most lethal scorers broke down his thoughts in an interview with Meridian Sport.
Clutch execution and adapting to a new squad
Nwora first reflected on the game’s flow and the ongoing chemistry-building process within the revamped roster:
“It was great, especially the fourth quarter. Things went well. Naturally, we have a new team and new coaches, so we are still putting all the pieces together and learning how to play with each other. Everyone is finding their rhythm. We put together a solid performance, fought hard until the very end, and managed to secure the win in this friendly.”
Court maturity and leveraging physical advantages
One of the standout elements of his performance was his relentless aggression on the offensive glass, a direct emphasis from the new head coach:
“Yes, he emphasized that heavily. He wants me to make better use of my size. I think toward the tail end of last season, I realized just how tall I am for a wing, playing the shooting guard and small forward spots. There aren’t many players at my height in those positions. I need to exploit that mismatch more consistently. That comes with spending more time playing in Europe and developing a deeper understanding of my role.”
With roughly twenty days remaining before the official season tip-off, Nwora looks physically and mentally ready for the challenges ahead:
“I feel good. A bit worn out because it’s preseason, but that’s standard procedure every year during training camp. I’m feeling great and genuinely excited for the upcoming season. I can’t wait to step out in front of our fans and see what we can achieve with our new coach and team.”
Stepping Into a leadership role and working with Navarro
Heading into his second campaign wearing the Crvena zvezda jersey, Nwora has naturally taken on a mentorship role to guide newcomers through the transition to European basketball:
“I was actually joking today, saying, ‘Man, I guess I’m a veteran now.’ But yeah, it feels great. A lot of these new guys are eager to learn, and we have exceptional talent across the board, so I don’t need to micromanage. There are a few players experiencing Europe for the first time whom I try to help out, but we also have plenty of experienced leaders who help me as well.”
Finally, he touched upon his working relationship with head coach Ibon Navarro and the team’s lofty expectations for the upcoming season:
“It’s been awesome. We are still getting accustomed to one another, but he is fantastic. He is implementing a system that brought him tremendous success in the past and adapting it here. As long as we all buy in and stick to the game plan, we should be set up for a strong season.”
When asked about his personal goals, he kept his response simple and definitive:
“To win. That’s my ambition, just to win.”
