From Europe to NBA Stardom
Born August 23, 1994, in Bosnia, Jusuf Nurkic began in European leagues before entering the NBA. His draft-night trade to Denver marked the start of a journeyman career across multiple franchises.
Stints with Portland saw peak production, averaging double-doubles. After Phoenix and a brief Charlotte stop in February 2025, the Jazz trade positioned him as a veteran leader.
Over 12 seasons in 616 games, he holds career averages of 11.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, per reliable stats trackers.
Embracing the Starting Center Role
Since November 2, 2025, Nurkic has started for Utah, filling the void left by Walker Kessler's season-ending shoulder surgery. In 18 starts, he posts 8.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.5 steals in 26.1 minutes.
Highlights include a season-high 17 rebounds and strong defense against Nikola Jokic. His play supports Lauri Markkanen, aiding Utah's interior game despite free-throw struggles at 49.3%.
Nurkic's recent hot streak—10.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists over two games—signals growing consistency for fantasy and team value.
Key Stats and Team Impact
In the 2025-26 season, Nurkic ranks 11th league-wide in rebounds at 9.6 per game. His 47.4% field goal and 34.9% from three add offensive versatility.
Double-doubles in six games, including seven straight 10+ rebound outings, highlight rebounding dominance. Assists near triple-double territory show playmaking growth.
For the 12th-place Jazz (10-19, .345 win pct), Nurkic's production offers stability in a rebuilding phase, with rest days managing his workload.