2025 Milwaukee Bucks second-rounder Bogoljub Markovic won Serbia’s ABA League MVP, the ABA announced Friday. Markovic, who averaged 18.2 points, a league-leading 9.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, won 50.4% of the votes. Markovic also won the Top Prospect Award for the second year in a row and was named to the “Ideal Starting Five,” Serbia’s form of an All-NBA award.
The Bucks chose Markovic, a gangly stretch forward out of Serbia, with the 47th pick of the 2025 NBA Draft. Per league sources,
Milwaukee considered trading up to select the developmental prospect.
“As the round went on, we actually were crossing our fingers, but also trying to see if we could move up, just in case, just to give ourselves a better opportunity to select him,” Bucks assistant general manager Milt Newton told The Athletic’s Eric Nehm. “We tried, but at the end of the day, we got him where we drafted, so we’re pretty excited about that.”
However, after averaging eight points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in five Summer League appearances, Markovic elected to remain overseas during the 2025–26 season. Not only had the Bucks filled out their roster, but Markovic looked physically and tactically outmatched during his brief minutes in Vegas.
Markovic has truly stepped up a level playing with Serbia’s KK Mega Basket. The 20-year-old has taken a central role, posting 30-point efficient double-doubles. Markovic looks like he’s understanding how to control his wiry 6’11” frame, and his newfound ability to finish through contact has made him a lethal scorer. His three-point shooting (.289) is worrying, but his high free-throw percentage (.825) suggests eventual improvement as a spot-up shooter.Markovic’s reemergence as a prospect for the Bucks comes at a flashpoint for the Milwaukee organization. Incoming head coach Taylor Jenkins’ reputation as a developmental coach could help Markovic take leaps and bounds as a contributor, and the possibility of a rebuild next season could mean more minutes and more touches for the Serbian prospect, if he comes stateside.
