Under Ibon Navarro, gifted scorer Jordan Nwora is proving that he can be a leading figure for Crvena Zvezda in more ways than one.
In a game that finishes 62-57, every extra possession carries added weight. Every rebound that completes a defensive stop and every steal that takes a possession away from the opposition can shape the outcome of a contest that feels like a throwback to another basketball era. Against Olympiacos on the road, Jordan Nwora showcased that all-round contribution, helping seal the win with a performance that went well beyond the label of “gifted scorer”.
His 18 points were valuable to Crvena Zvezda. But his 13 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals explained why Ibon Navarro expects even more from him. With a PIR of 23, the 28-year-old small forward helped the Serbian side leave SUNEL Arena with a major road victory, demonstrating just how many different ways he can influence a game.
Nwora arrived in the EuroLeague in 2024 after four years in the NBA with the Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors. He also brought a championship ring, earned alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo during the Bucks’ 2021 title run. His offensive ability was already a defining part of his résumé.
He subsequently showed, with Anadolu Efes and Crvena Zvezda, that he could score in a variety of ways at Europe’s highest level. That was never the main question surrounding his game. The next challenge, therefore, concerned the breadth of his contribution: how much could he offer when possessions did not end in his hands, and how consistently could he take care of the other responsibilities?
His numbers this season provide an initial answer. The Belgrade side’s small forward is averaging 15 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1 steal, with a PIR of 15.1. His scoring remains important, but his rebounding adds another dimension, one that matters considerably to the team’s balance.
A player with Nwora’s size and athleticism can offer more than shot-making. His work on the glass helps finish defensive possessions, while his ability to take on different matchups gives his coach options. Those are precisely the qualities Navarro wants to see more consistently, as he has repeatedly made clear in public.
It is no coincidence that two of Nwora’s most telling performances this season have come away from Belgrade. In Dubai, he recorded 20 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals and a 20 PIR, helping Zvezda secure the win. In Greece, against Olympiacos, he was even more active on the boards and in making defensive plays. Two top-level tests, two road victories, with a substantial contribution from him in each.
Those performances reflect what the Spanish coach had said a few days earlier: “Nwora understands how important he is to the team. He has mobility and size, he can defend, and he must not be one-dimensional. He has to do everything because he is a complete player. He knows that and understands he has to play defence for us to succeed as a team.”
After the road win at SUNEL Arena, Navarro returned to the same point, this time with a very specific — and impressive — performance to back it up: “He is an incredible, fantastic player, but sometimes he is one-dimensional. He can do many more things and take on more responsibility. He cannot just score. He can be a good rebounder, and he showed that today. He can defend, help us in many ways and guard taller opponents.”
His coach’s expectations are clear and directly linked to the next step in Nwora’s development. The scoring is already there. Consistent rebounding, defensive focus and greater responsibility within the game are what can raise his overall impact.
For Crvena Zvezda, that development means one of their main offensive weapons can also help carry them through nights decided by toughness.
For Nwora himself, it means he can remain decisive even when scoring becomes difficult or the points do not come as consistently.
The road win over Olympiacos showed just how valuable this version of Nwora can be. The challenge for him and Zvezda is to make it a habit.
