UW's Dzepina Shines for Serbia

Nikola Dzepina demonstrated a notable resurgence for his Serbian national team during the FIBA U20 Eurobasket tournament. Over the weekend, he was instrumental in securing two victories for his squad.

Dzepina's standout performance included a dominant 21-point, 13-rebound effort in an 84-67 win over Poland on Saturday. He followed this with a solid 12-point, 5-rebound contribution in Sunday's 79-57 victory against Lithuania.

These performances are particularly encouraging for the University of Washington Huskies coaching staff, as Dzepina, a 6-foot-10 forward, is expected to play a significantly larger role. Having joined the team mid-season last year and averaging only 2.6 points and 1.3 rebounds, his recent success suggests a substantial jump in his game.

In Slovenia, Dzepina appeared more physically developed, particularly in his upper body. He focused heavily on an inside game, converting numerous close-range shots. This contrasts with his previous season, where he struggled with shooting efficiency from the field and beyond the arc.

The Huskies have also bolstered their international presence by signing three additional players from overseas, including Wini Braga Silva from Brazil, Boris Tisma from Croatia, and Tristan Devers from Australia. Dzepina's experience highlights the adjustment period these newcomers will likely face adapting to the more physical college basketball environment.