Youngsters Nikola Mirotic ('91, Real Madrid) -at the pic- and Bojan Bogdanovic ('89, Cibona) played together during the 2008/2009 season with Real Madrid farm team at LEB Bronce (spanish fourth division). Actually both are shining in a top level.
The spanish-montenegrin power-forward Mirotic is one of the ACB sensations (7.6 points and 9.3 valoration). At the beginning he didn't have opportunities (19 minutes till Malaga's game in December), but now is is making great performances in ACB (19 points and 25 valoration against Sevilla as his best game) and Euroleague (16 and 25 against Montepaschi with 4/4 from downtown). Croatian forward Bogdanovic is Cibona's main weapon, finishing second best Euroleague scorer in the first round (18.0 points and 15.3 valoration).
The steps prospects need to make to reach professional level are in a tough way, and sometimes without a good end even all the people expect the maximum. But the reality can be a wall for the prospects. Both played together when were growing in their maturation process. Mirotic, still U-18 those days, had to combine the practices with two teams, competing in a less attractive league (LEB Bronce) but demanding due to the opponents experience. He improved every day, finishing with 14.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 16.8 valoration. Last season, in Palencia (LEB Gold), he continued growing, even fighting to avoid the relegation. And Bogdanovic? In 2008/2009 was loaned to Murcia (ACB) till January, but after Real Madrid sent him to its farmer team because he needed more minutes, coinciding with Mirotic. The bosnian-borned ended as one of the best league scorers (20.3), leading the team and avoiding the relegation.
In summer 2009 both pearls took different ways, with Bogdanovic accepting an attractive offer to play Euroleague with croatians of Cibona. Actually are making a big impact in their leagues. Can you imagine both playing together again?
Enjoy these two videos, with Mirotic & Bogdanovic playing and growing in spanish minor leagues in the past:
-Mirotic (video).
-Bogdanovic (video).
Photo: ACB Photo
