Pavle Nikolic

PROFILE

Season Review - January 2026
By Albert Juncà

Forward with broad shoulders, a pro-ready body, and a very high motor, which allows him to repeat efforts on both ends. Offensively, he can impact the game in multiple ways, attacking face-ups from the perimeter against slower PFs or Cs, using his strong frame to absorb contact when slashing to the rim. In post-up situations, he identifies mismatches extremely well, using his strength and soft touch to gain space and find the correct angle to the rim. Off the ball, Nikolic is an active cutter, reading where the advantage is and filling empty spots to finish around the rim. From the perimeter, he is showing improvements in execution speed when rising up in spot-up situations.

Defensively, Nikolic plays tough in the post, not allowing himself to be moved by bigger players. On the perimeter, he has correct lateral quickness to stay in front of other forwards and, in pick-and-roll situations, is able to play aggressive coverages. Off the ball, he shows great positioning, adjusting on the weak side, staying ready to react to ball movement and recover to his man.

U20 European Championship - July 2025
By Pietro Cristofori
FIBA U20 European Championship- August 2024
By Artau Pascual

Wide frame and pro-ready body to fill the forward role. Presently, his playing style fits just the PF role. Not a conventional floor stretcher: tries to use his strength to attack face up or to exploit mismatches in low post situations. Lacks handles and skill to put the ball on the floor against threes. Shoots the ball from the perimeter with his feet set: slow mechanics, needs to increase his confidence. As a passer, he did fairly well with no dribbles against zone defenses and did a few nice short roll and cut reads. Quick game processing. Can push the pace in transition and decide in wide spaces. Possesses some basic footwork and finishing skills that fit well with his frame.

On the defensive end, Pavle Nikolic matches up well with PF’s. He uses his size and defends hard both in the paint and on the perimeter against players with a similar body building. He’s useful as a helpside defender and doesn’t avoid doing extra efforts. Solid rebounder for his size and position. Not a vertical player, but can provide some positional rim protection.

U18 European Championship- August 2023
By Artau Pascual

Well-framed combo forward with the size to be a big three in European basketball, he can also adjust to the 4-position physicality. Broad shoulders, muscular upper body. On the offensive end, he displayed his efficiency shooting in spot-up and found ways to get to the rim attacking slower forwards. His handles are not advanced, and he doesn’t have high-level burst, but he takes advantage of his wide upper body and relies on spin moves. He can also operate as a cutter in the baseline area and is smart enough to punish his opponent with touch screens and slips acting as a roller. Fills the lanes in transitions and fastbreaks. On the defensive end, he showed a great level of activity and awareness closing out and acting as the low man in pick&roll coverages. He can switch in pick&roll schemes initiated by wings and contain opponents in the post.


U17 Serbian Championships - May 2021

Pavle Nikolic was the glue guy of the Borac Cacak team on the court. He is an active player who shoots efficiently in spot ups and cuts with frequency along the baseline to find easy points. Defensevely he has to improve his consistency: alternates great defenses, where he displays very nice BBIQ and quickness for his size, to some 'non-defenses'.