Jordan Nwora Shines as Crvena Zvezda Overcomes Milano to Reach Semifinals

Crete, Greece – In a game that could easily be overlooked as mere preseason action, right here on the basketball court in Crete, Jordan Nwora sent a clear message. He didn't just score 24 points; he showcased a completely different version of himself compared to his lackluster NBA days. In the red jersey of Crvena Zvezda, Nwora seemed liberated, and the Serbian team convincingly overcame Olimpia Milano to secure a spot in the semifinals of the preseason tournament in Crete.

The context of this game is crucial. We are talking about a preseason tournament where teams experiment with lineups, rotate players, and don't operate at full capacity. Yet even in that context, a newcomer like Nwora scoring 24 points against a team of Milano's caliber is a notable signal. It shows he has quickly integrated into the coach's system, and more importantly, he has been given a primary offensive role from day one.

Looking at the box score, we see a fairly balanced scoring distribution alongside Nwora's performance. Patrick Baldwin Jr. contributed 13 points, while Nikola Kalinić and Jared Butler each had 9. This indicates that Crvena Zvezda is not a one-man show. They have multiple offensive threats, and this is a powerful weapon when entering the grueling EuroLeague season. I have followed many teams in the EuroLeague, and I can say that offensive balance is the key to surviving tight games.

Crvena Zvezda's offensive balance was the most important tactical highlight of this game.

But hold your horses. I don't listen to what they say in front of the cameras – I listen to what they say after the lights go out. And after this game, the real question isn't how many points Nwora can score, but whether he can maintain his efficiency against the physical defenses of the EuroLeague. The NBA is a different environment. He averaged 9.8 points per game over four NBA seasons with a 37.4% three-point percentage – a respectable number. But his issues have always been on defense and consistency. The EuroLeague is a more tactical and physical league, and that will be the real test for Nwora.

Croatia 2026: history is not for the team with the most stars, but for the team with the best story. For Crvena Zvezda, their story is a collective of former NBA players seeking larger roles. Nwora, Baldwin, Butler – all are players who brushed against the NBA ceiling but couldn't secure a permanent spot. They came here not to be role players, but to be the center of a major project. And if this game is any indication, that project is on the right track.

For Milano, this loss is not a disaster. Ettore Messina is a tactical master, and he often uses the preseason to experiment rather than to win. But there's an undeniable reality: their core is aging. Nikola Mirotić is 33, Shavon Shields is 30. Their championship window is narrowing. Meanwhile, Crvena Zvezda, with a younger and more energetic roster, is showing they could be a new force in the EuroLeague.

Interestingly, this trend isn't unique to Crvena Zvezda. I've seen many EuroLeague teams in recent years target players with NBA experience – those with the physique and speed but not quite the caliber to be stars in the NBA. They come to Europe to find bigger roles, and European teams leverage this talent pool to elevate their competitiveness. This represents a reversal of the traditional talent flow, where European players once dreamed of moving to the NBA.

However, I must emphasize: don't get too excited about preseason results. The "preseason mirage" phenomenon is real. I've witnessed too many teams that flourished in exhibition games only to struggle when the regular season began. The intensity, tactics, and opponent preparation in the EuroLeague will be completely different. Nwora scoring 24 points in a friendly doesn't guarantee he'll do the same against Real Madrid's or Panathinaikos' defenses.

But one thing is certain: this season will be a major turning point in Nwora's career. At 26, he's entering his physical prime. He's betting his career on the EuroLeague, and if he succeeds, he'll become a star here. If he fails, he'll just be another name on the list of NBA players who couldn't adapt to the European game.

I'll be closely watching Crvena Zvezda's first 10 EuroLeague games. That will be enough time to assess whether Nwora has truly integrated. Can he maintain his shooting efficiency under real pressure? Can he improve defensively to avoid being a liability? And most importantly, can he help Crvena Zvezda go deep in the EuroLeague – where they haven't reached the Final Four since 2026, when they finished as runners-up?

In a league where every team has its own stars, Crvena Zvezda's story comes from a collective of castoffs, seeking redemption. And as I often say, every transfer has three versions: the story the public hears, the story the club tells, and the truth that never gets released. For Nwora, the truth will be written on the court, in every game of this season.

So, enjoy this victory, Crvena Zvezda fans. But remember, the road ahead is long. And the real question isn't whether Nwora can score 24 points in a friendly, but whether he can become the leader who guides the team through the biggest challenges when the regular season begins. That's the real test of a star.