As Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Dončić attempts to guide the Slovenian national team to consecutive Olympic appearances for the first time in its men’s basketball program history, starting center Josh Nebo remains an important X-factor. On Saturday, the team enters a matchup against Greece, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, with the winner advancing to the final of the pre-Olympic qualifying tournament, providing a chance to earn an Olympic bid.

Nebo, a native of Katy, Texas, who played at Texas A&M during college, became Slovenia’s choice for its only naturalized player instead of Mike Tobey, who had filled the role since 2021. Nebo secured Slovenian citizenship on June 19 and signed a new contract with EA7 Emporio Armani Milan only five days after playing for Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv last season.

Nebo stands at 6-foot-7 but was one of the most efficient finishers at the rim, with a reliable floater and hook. He is also a versatile defender. In the EuroLeague competition, he averaged 10.5 points and 6.1 rebounds in 19.4 minutes per game.

In Slovenia’s opening performance at the Olympic qualifier in Greece, the team lost 108-92 against Croatia—an opponent featuring Ivica Zubac, Dario Saric, and Mario Hejonza—while receiving 12 points and nine rebounds from Nebo. Slovenia’s defense had noticeable defensive breakdowns, but naturally, it was potentially part of bringing in a new player to jump right into a high-stakes competition. He responded by recording 20 points and 12 rebounds in Slovenia’s 104-78 win over New Zealand.

“Yeah, I feel like every day I’m here, I’m getting more comfortable and getting more out,” Nebo said. “Just having a better understanding of what’s going on and what the plays are. I feel like each day, each game, I’m getting more comfortable, and hopefully, we’re able to keep building team chemistry together.”

Nebo, at 6 feet 7 inches, will face a tall task against a big Greek frontcourt that is not only led by Antetokounmpo but also involves 7-foot-1 Georgios Papagiannis. In addition, having a talented passer like Nick Calathes in the backcourt makes it challenging for the defense to neutralize the paint, especially when giving up size, along with other talented players like Kostas Papanikolaou on the wing. Slovenia will need Nebo to protect the paint, hold his own on switches, and make timely rotations while being a relief option for Dončić offensively.

“They have size, they have skills, and they have experience. For example, they have Calathes, who is one of the best passers, if not the best passer in the EuroLeague, reading the game, ability to pass,” Slovenia coach Aleksander Sekulić said on Friday. “Also, the defensive part is very good with him. So I think they have both. They have size, they have skills, they have experience.

“Very, very tough opponent. That’s why I say they are the favorites. Not because we are in Greece, but because they have a really good team.”

Due to his experience in the EuroLeague, Nebo is already familiar with playing against Papagiannis. He will need to lean on that prior experience, and he understands the proper mentality that will be required to handle that assignment. He’s prepared to do whatever the game plan suggests getting it done.

“I’m very familiar with this game. I’ve played against him over the past years,” Nebo said of Papagiannis. “So it’s going to be important that I think we all come up with the right mindset. It’s not only my matchup with him. It’s going to be our team being able to play well, perform well, make sure we execute our game plan.”

As one of the main dirty work players in Slovenia, Nebo emphasized the need to set the tone as a group against Greece by playing with energy. The team will construct a specific game plan focused on the Helas, and managing to follow it with the right energy goes a long way.

“I think we just have to come out with the right energy,” Nebo said. “So we have to come out with the right energy and make sure that we execute the game plan that coach comes up with for us.”

As Nebo continues to gain experience with Slovenia since joining the team a short period ago, part of the process involves building strong chemistry with Dončić, who orchestrates offenses frequently and has unique timing and delivery of passes. Nebo has felt it’s been a simple process to get acclimated to playing with such a great player despite having only a few practices consisting of five-on-five, one friendly game together before the few tournament games. He’s already showing a well-versed understanding of how Dončić wants him to slip screens or roll, deliveries on handoffs, seal off bigs in the paint with Gortat screens, and most nuances required to thrive with the superstar.

“It’s great. He’s a great player. He makes the game easy for everybody, not only myself,” Nebo said. “So it’s very easy to play with him.”

Sekulić is satisfied with how Nebo has acclimated to Slovenia’s squad. The whole process is learning a new system and getting familiar with what teammates like to do and what they’re good at. Doing this has to happen quickly before playing high-stakes games where every possession matters and mistakes can lead to an early exit.

“He’s a new guy with us. Not a lot of time spent, so he’s getting to know the team, the team is getting to know him, the system, what are the abilities of the teammates,” Sekulić said. “So, yes, it’s challenging, but I think we are growing as a team from game to game, so hopefully we’re going to be even better next game in this game against Greece.”

Nebo described qualifying for the Olympics as a “once in a lifetime” opportunity, and he’s grateful to play a key role for a team like Slovenia that still has the chance to achieve such a feat.

“I would say it would mean a lot. It’s an opportunity that comes around a lot in your lifetime,” Nebo said. “So it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Hopefully, we’re able to accomplish that.”

If Nebo plays in France within the next month, it’ll surely be because he played an integral role in Slovenia’s defeat of Greece. The winner of Slovenia versus Greece will take on the winner of Croatia versus New Zealand in the final on Sunday, determining who will advance to the Olympics.