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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider SGA brings in ex-NBA player Boban Marjanovic for Jones Cup

SGA brings in ex-NBA player Boban Marjanovic for Jones Cup

Published Jul 24, 2026 07:12 pm

At A Glance

  • Strong Group Athletics got a huge boost with the addition of former NBA and Serbia national team center Boban Marjanovic for the 2026 Jones Cup set from Aug. 8 to 23 at the New Taipei City Xinzhuang Gymnasium in Taiwan.
Former NBA and Serbia national team center Boban Marjanovic (Contributed photo)
Former NBA and Serbia national team center Boban Marjanovic (Contributed photo)
Strong Group Athletics got a huge boost with the addition of former NBA and Serbia national team center Boban Marjanovic for the 2026 Jones Cup set from Aug. 8 to 23 at the New Taipei City Xinzhuang Gymnasium in Taiwan.
Marjanovic, 37, will reinforce the reigning champions as SGA aims for a rare three-peat Jones Cup title against some of the top teams in Asia.
SGA founder and team owner Frank Lao said the 7-foot-4 Serbian will strengthen the team's inside game on both offense and defense as they prepare for a tougher title defense this year.
"We're building the best team possible because we know this will be the toughest William Jones Cup yet," said Lao. "Every participating country is expected to bring in quality lineups, so we want to make sure we're prepared for that challenge.”
“Bringing in a player like Boban gives us a tremendous presence on both ends of the floor, and we're excited to have him represent Strong Group-Pilipinas,” he added.
Before making his way to the NBA, Marjanovic starred in Europe, especially in his home country of Serbia, where he won the league's Most Valuable Player award three times.
From 2015 to 2024, the 7-foot-4 center played for the San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Rockets. He also had brief stints with the Austin Spurs in the NBA G League.
After his NBA career, Marjanovic continued playing overseas, suiting up for clubs in China, Turkey, and Slovenia.
Strong Group Athletics, coached by Charles Tiu, is in Group A, where it will face Chinese Taipei Blue, Korea, and Japan.
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