Montenegro is growing step by step. All its national teams are shining in youth tournaments, and senior squad reached the A division some months ago. Nikola Ivanovic ('94) is a great example of montenegrin next generations. In last U-16 European Championship, played in Kaunas (Lithuania), they finished tenth with the guard scoring 16.0 points even he was younger than most of the players. Next summer will be very important for them. Next U-16 championship will be held there, in Bar. Eurohopes contacted him.
-Montenegrin national teams are "in shape". Senior squad will fight for a spot for the Eurobasket, U-20 finished seventh on last EC, U-18 was third in division B EC and finally your team, U-16, was tenth on the EC. Not bad. Do you think your country has potential to be at top positions in all the tournaments next years?
It's good to know that our basketball improves every year. All our national squads are very talented and I think we have potential to make something big in next few years. This year is very important for all national teams. We need our U-18 team to make it to the final game of EC B division, and our senior squad to be succesfull in fighting their place for Eurobasket.
It's good to know that our basketball improves every year. All our national squads are very talented and I think we have potential to make something big in next few years. This year is very important for all national teams. We need our U-18 team to make it to the final game of EC B division, and our senior squad to be succesfull in fighting their place for Eurobasket.
-In Kaunas you finished eighth in points scored (16.0) being one year younger than most of the players. Are you happy with your individually performance?
My performance in Kaunas wasn't bad. There were moments when I was satisfied with my playing, but sometimes I was angry with myself because of my bad performances. I hope this year it will be better.
My performance in Kaunas wasn't bad. There were moments when I was satisfied with my playing, but sometimes I was angry with myself because of my bad performances. I hope this year it will be better.
-And as a team? Do you think you could done it better?
It's funny, because we came to Kaunas with only one thought in our heads: "survival in division A". And we succeeded. When the EC was over, we all sat together and realised that we could have done it better. Overall, we were happy by accomplishing the goal and proudly returned to Montenegro.
It's funny, because we came to Kaunas with only one thought in our heads: "survival in division A". And we succeeded. When the EC was over, we all sat together and realised that we could have done it better. Overall, we were happy by accomplishing the goal and proudly returned to Montenegro.
-Next summer it will be important for you because the U-16 EC will be held in Bar (Montenegro). Which is the goal?
Yes, it will be very important! This generation promises a lot, it's very talented. We'll be highly motivated because we are playing in our country, in front of our crowd and that's a special feeling. We'll all give 200 percent of ourselves to be in top five, and it won't be easy at all. It will all come along with a hard work during the entire year.
Yes, it will be very important! This generation promises a lot, it's very talented. We'll be highly motivated because we are playing in our country, in front of our crowd and that's a special feeling. We'll all give 200 percent of ourselves to be in top five, and it won't be easy at all. It will all come along with a hard work during the entire year.
-If you take a look to our Eurohopes rankings you can find montenegrin prospects like Vladimir Dasic ('88), Sead Sehovic ('89), Nikola Vucevic ('90), Bojan Subotic ('90), Filip Barovic ('90), Nikola Mirotic ('91), Nemanja Besovic ('92),... No comment about the skills of all these players. What's your opinion about all these next generations?
Our basketball federation focuses on young players and every year produces players that might be stars. Some of these guys are already playing in big European teams and I hope that all of them will be great players. All of these players showed great performances in young national squads, and some of them were playing for senior squad. I think that will be more guys like these who will represent our country in best way!
Our basketball federation focuses on young players and every year produces players that might be stars. Some of these guys are already playing in big European teams and I hope that all of them will be great players. All of these players showed great performances in young national squads, and some of them were playing for senior squad. I think that will be more guys like these who will represent our country in best way!
-You've been playing for Joker Podgorica many years. And you are still there. Explain us how is a week for you (studies, practices, games,...).
Well, this year is very important for me, so I'm pushing it real hard. This is my seventh season in Joker with my coach Jadran Vujacic. Every day I have school early in the morning, and after school I have a small break before individual training. After that training, I have a break that I use to study, and in the evening I have a training with my squad. Every second day I go to gym. Games are usually at weekends.
Well, this year is very important for me, so I'm pushing it real hard. This is my seventh season in Joker with my coach Jadran Vujacic. Every day I have school early in the morning, and after school I have a small break before individual training. After that training, I have a break that I use to study, and in the evening I have a training with my squad. Every second day I go to gym. Games are usually at weekends.
-In what teams are you playing beside the U-16 squad of Joker?
I play for Joker's U-16 and U-18 team. And from this season I started to play First B league with first team "Students' Centre".
I play for Joker's U-16 and U-18 team. And from this season I started to play First B league with first team "Students' Centre".
-If you need to define yourself as a player what will you say?
Me as a player? I never really thought about it very much. I can say that my 1on1 offense is very good, but sometimes I force bad shots. My defense needs so much improvement, so in that area I'm just reclining on my quick hands. I like to attack from pick 'n' roll.
Me as a player? I never really thought about it very much. I can say that my 1on1 offense is very good, but sometimes I force bad shots. My defense needs so much improvement, so in that area I'm just reclining on my quick hands. I like to attack from pick 'n' roll.
-Is an option for you go to USA like Vucevic, or you prefer to stay in Europe?
Well, I have USA as an option, but I'll wait to see how are the things going after the EC in Bar and decide than.
Well, I have USA as an option, but I'll wait to see how are the things going after the EC in Bar and decide than.
-What is your dream as a player?
Just like every player young player I want to play in the best world league, in NBA. My dream is to become a pro, to win on every game, and enjoy doing it.
Just like every player young player I want to play in the best world league, in NBA. My dream is to become a pro, to win on every game, and enjoy doing it.
-Good luck from Eurohopes.
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