BOV Division One side Luxol Sherries Estates have made their intentions clear this season as they revamped their roster and pushed for a strong run, first making the John Tabone Shield final and eventually challenging current league leaders Hibernians as we head to the business end of the campaign. Now the Violets have further added firepower to their squad with the addition of Bosnian forward Nikola Djakovic.

“We’re excited to announce that Nikola Djakovic has joined Luxol Basketball Club for the remainder of the season!” a Luxol statement read on Tuesday. 

“Standing at 6’9” Nikola is a versatile player who played for teams in Bosnia, Greece, Montenegro, and Serbia. Nikola’s height and agility make him a formidable presence on both ends of the court. Welcome to the team, Nikola!”

Djakovic, who joins the team on a contract until the end of the season, brings with him experience having played NCJAA with the Snow College Badgers before going back to Europe to play professionally in four different countries, most previously Greece with the 24-year-old having played for Greek D side Gaet Dionas Kyparissias. 

He now joins coach Duncan Fenech and the Luxol team which has already merged its upcoming youthful squad with the likes of Malta international Nathan Xuereb, sharpshooting Vukasin Jandric and the re-emerging Stefan Cappello all of whom have had an impressive season so far. To make things all the more better, the two summer import signings they made – Darron Howard and Caleb Jones McCrary – have made them one of the teams to beat and a strong favourite for a top-two regular season finish ahead of the playoffs.

This significant investment within the Luxol side brings with it a crucial upgrade compared to previous seasons where Luxol have struggled. Last season, the team was fully invested in building up their youth arsenal as their senior side battled with one import player – Tariq Woody, who to their disadvantage turned out to be an incorrect fit, particularly off the court, eventually leading to his dismissal due to internal conflicts with the club’s hierarchy. 

Luxol are currently in second place of the BOV Division One standings on 21 points after nine wins and three defeats and Djakovic could be in line for his debut with the Pembroke-based side on Sunday as they face Starlites JSD in the weekend’s late game.

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