From Courtside to Countryside : Nikola bhal Hosts Teammate Malia Thoms and Kylee Magee in Downtown Sombor…full details…..
**From Courtside to Countryside: Nikola Bhal Hosts Teammates Malia Thoms and Kylee Magee in Downtown Sombor**
After a thrilling and grueling season on the hardwood, point guard Nikola Bhal traded his sneakers for sandals as he welcomed teammates Malia Thoms and Kylee Magee to his hometown of Sombor, Serbia, for a much-needed off-season escape. The small city—famous for its pastoral charm, serene canals, and laid-back pace—served as the perfect contrast to the frenetic energy of their championship run.
The trio arrived just after sunrise, stepping out of a sleek black van onto the cobblestone square in downtown Sombor. The town’s air was thick with the scent of linden blossoms and fresh bread from the local bakeries. Bhal, whose family has deep roots in the region, had arranged a warm welcome complete with a traditional tamburica band and fresh *burek* waiting at his grandmother’s café, Café Dunavska.
“It’s slow here, but it’s real,” Bhal told his teammates as they sipped strong Turkish coffee in the shaded garden behind the café. “After the noise of the season, Sombor gives me peace.”
Malia Thoms, known for her explosive agility on the court and quiet intellect off of it, marveled at the ornate Austro-Hungarian architecture and the slow-moving horse-drawn carriages. “I didn’t think a place like this existed anymore. It’s like stepping back in time.”
Later, Bhal took them on a bike ride through the town’s scenic outskirts, stopping at his uncle’s sunflower farm where Magee, ever the adventurer, insisted on driving the tractor. The laughter echoed through the fields as Magee, far from her fast-paced LA lifestyle, tried to navigate the massive machine. “I think I just plowed a zigzag,” she joked.
The day ended at the famous Sombor docks where the team boarded a small riverboat. As they cruised down the Great Bačka Canal, sipping *rakija* and listening to folk stories told by Bhal’s grandfather, the stars began to emerge in a sky untouched by city lights.
Thoms, reflective and poetic as always, leaned over the railing. “I feel like we know each other better now, not just as players but as people,” she said. “This kind of quiet—it sticks with you.”
The next morning, they visited the City Museum, where Bhal proudly pointed out his great-grandfather in a faded black-and-white team photo. “He played for the local club—before they even had nets,” Bhal laughed.
As their trip came to an end, the trio posed for a photo in front of the town’s ancient clocktower—smiling, sun-kissed, and relaxed. The caption on Thoms’ social media post read simply: *From courtside to countryside—family is where the heart is.*
And just like that, the team returned home with something more valuable than any trophy: a deeper bond, timeless memories, and a renewed sense of balance that only the quiet rhythm of Sombor could provide.
