BOSNIA U18 DIVISION B CHAMPIONS! RECAP! Bosnia is celebrating the biggest victory in its youth selection in its history of basketball! The team was able to defy the odds and win their first promotion to Division A in the countrys history. The team beat the Czech Republic in the title game 76-64 in front of over 700 spectators in Sarajevo. It was a big finish for the Bosnian team that only lost one game in the competition against Finland 84-86 in the last seconds. It was a remarkable performance by the team and led by the young stars Jusuf Nurkic and Nedim Buza. A recap of players and their performance during the tournament played in Sarajevo.
No Name Pos. Height Birth date Place of birth
4 Nedim Salcin SG 1.90 02.07.1994 Sarajevo (BIH) A hardworking youngster who hardly played during the tournament. It was surprising that he was chosen over Adi Zahiragic who is an excellent outside shooter and a decent ball handler.
5 Marko Rikalo PG 1.85 11.11.1994 Trebinje (BIH) Marko showed a lot of guts by playing through injuries in the tournament. It was questionable if he would be able to make the team considering he was coming off a serious injury. He is an excellent floor general who wasnt able to show all of his skills during the tournament. He is a facilitator who kept his turnovers low, under one a game.
6 Srdan Damjanovic G 1.88 08.12.1994 Vogosca (BIH) A combo guard who helped the team coming off the bench and made a difference in a few games. Srdan came up with a big 15 point performance in the pivotal games against England.
7 Adin Vrabac GF 2.02 27.01.1994 Sarajevo (BIH) A ultra-talented player who can do it all on the court and has great size. Adin is a huge guard who has great skills he can pass, shoot, rebound and has the ability to defend. He has yet to put it all together, he did a better job of being aggressive and attacking and learning situational basketball and when to move the ball. Has the potential to be great, just a question if and when he puts it all together. Adin did a better job of not disappearing all together and staying aggressive.
8 Dejan Ivkovic SF 1.97 26.03.1995 Trebinje (BIH) Dejan is a tough hard-nosed defender who hardly had the chance to get on the court. A favorite of coach Markovic he made the team even though he wasnt the most talented player on the team.
9 Marko Vukovic SG 1.90 15.04.1994 Rogatica (BIH) One of the biggest prospects to come from KK BOSNA in the last few years Marko is a big time talent who has the chance to turn into a good player. Marko is an excellent passer and ball handler who struggles with game tempo and situation. His shot selection also leaves a lot to be desired at this point. He has a good future if he continues to work hard and get good coaching. He proved valuable to the team with the injuries to Rikalo.
10 Asim Ahmedic PF 2.00 13.05.1994 Tuzla (BIH) A tough hard-nosed player who helped the team tremendously with his hard work and rebounding. He struggles with free throw shooting; Asim gets every ounce of ability out of his body.
11 Nikola Marijan C 2.08 26.02.1995 Sombor (SRB) Nikola is a hardworking kid who hardly touched the court, another favorite of coach Markovic.
12 Berin Gudic C 2.09 15.02.1994 Bugojno (BIH) Another player with size who is a long-term project who hardly got a chance to play.
13 Nedim Buza SF 2.01 10.05.1995 Visoko (BIH) Nedim is one of the best prospects of his generation who can do it all shoot, pass, rebound and defend. Nedim started off slowly but stepped it up as the competition wore on and averaged 20ppg in his last three games and impacted the team with more than just his scoring. Nedim has very good long term potential as a pro.
14 Stefan Glogovac SF 2.01 13.06.1994 Trebinje (BIH) Stefan was a key player on the team who had one of his best games in the title game. Stefan is a very good athlete who is inconsistent at this point in his career.
15 Jusuf Nurkic C 2.12 23.08.1994 Tuzla (BIH) Jusuf Nurkic was a monster in these games and has become a fan favorite and an almost overnight phenom. Nurkic has great size and weight and an unbelievable skill set and instincts. The sky is the limit for possibly the best prospect in Bosnian history. Nurkic impacted every single game he played in even when he wasnt scoring well his rebounding, passing and defending proved invaluable. There is nothing Nurkic cant do on the court; with proper coaching and continued development he could be an impact player in the NBA.
Coaching: Coach Markovic and his assistants deserve all the credit in the world for what they were able to do with this team. The in game situations and decision making was great; they seemed to push all the right buttons in substitutions, game situations and preparations. They also got the players to buy into a team concept were they put individual goals aside for team goals.
SHARE ON:
Ivan Opacak selected the top Bosnian playing abroad in last week's games - May 20, 2013
POSTED BY:
EUROBASKET CENTER
follow us on
We bring you last week's top performances from Bosnians who are playing abroad and who all have had prior experience of national team duties at youth or senior level. This week's number one is an experienced international shooting guard Ivan Opacak (201-80, agency: INVICTUS Sports Group). He led PGE Turow to an overtime victory over the fifth-ranked Anwil in the Polish TBL in Saturday night's game.
[read more]
We bring you last week's top performances from Bosnians who are playing abroad and who all have had prior experience of national team duties at youth or senior level.
#1. This week's number one is an experienced international shooting guard Ivan Opacak (201-80, agency: INVICTUS Sports Group, currently plays in Poland). He led PGE Turow to an overtime victory over the fifth-ranked Anwil (18-14) 77-75 in the Polish TBL in Saturday night's game.
Opacak was MVP of the game. He recorded 24 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 31 minutes on the court.
PGE Turow Zgorzelec (23-9) is placed first in Places 1-6 group.
It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row.
It's Opacak's first season with the team.
Opacak has relatively good stats this year: 11.5ppg, 3.2rpg, 2FGP: 63.3%(107-169), 3FGP: 39.0% and FT: 83.3% in the 38 games he played so far.
He has a dual citizenship: Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatian.
Ex-KK Zenica Celik player is currently a member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina senior national team.
#2. Second place goes to an international center Jusuf Nurkic (212-94, currently plays in Croatia). He led KK Zadar to a 1-point victory over the fifth-ranked Jolly (7-7) 77-76 in the Croatian A1 on Tuesday night.
Nurkic was the best player in that game. He scored 22 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 24 minutes.
KK Zadar (11-3) is placed second in Places 1-8 group.
It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row.
They will play only one more game in the Second Stage. And that game will be critical.
Nurkic is currently fifth on the list of best blockers with 0.9bpg.
This year his other stats are: 8.7ppg, 5.2rpg, 2FGP: 52.3% and FT: 66.7% in the 14 games.
Nurkic is another player who holds two passports: Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenian.
Despite he played previously for the Slovenian U16 national team, Nurkic is currently a member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina senior national team.
#3. The Bosnia and Herzegovina player who performed third best last week abroad was former international guard Ernest Bremer (194-80, agency: Higher Vision Sports, college: St.Bonaventure, currently plays in Italy). He led Armani Milano to an overtime victory against the closely-ranked Montepaschi Siena (18-12) 81-79 in the Italian SerieA in Sunday night's game.
Bremer scored 14 points, grabbed 6 rebounds and dished 5 assists.
EA7 Emporio Armani Milano (19-11) is placed fourth in the SerieA.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
This season Bremer averages: 6.2ppg, 1.9rpg, 2.4apg, 2FGP: 47.2%, 3FGP: 30.6% and FT: 69.6%.
He is a naturalized American.
Bremer played for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team two years ago.
He used to play for Bosna ASA BH Telecom Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina league.
#4. Guard Goran Ikonic (196-80, agency: Beo Basket, currently plays in Ukraine), who plays in the Ukrainian Superleague could not help Halychyna (24-15) in their last game on Thursday. Despite Ikonic's very good performance Halychyna was crushed 94-73 at home by the second-ranked Ferro-ZNTU.
He was the top scorer with 19 points. Ikonic also added 5 rebounds and dished 5 assists.
Ikonic's overall stats this season are: 8.2ppg, 2.8rpg and 1.4apg.
He is also Bosnia and Herzegovina national team player.
#5. International point guard Nemanja Gordic (192-88, currently plays in Serbia) contributed to an easy victory against the sixth-ranked Metalac (3-9) crushing them 88-62 in the Serbian A League on Sunday night.
Gordic scored 9 points and added 4 passes in 18 minutes.
BC Partizan MT:S Beograd (10-2) is placed first in Superliga group.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
There are only two games left until the end of the Second Stage. So now every game is very crucial.
This year Gordic's overall stats are: 7.6ppg, 1.6rpg and 2.3apg in the 12 games.
He plays currently for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.
#6. Point guard Sasa Vasiljevic (180-79, also represented by Beo Basket, currently plays in Ukraine) is a teammate of previously mentioned Goran Ikonic. But that was another game of his team in Ukrainian Superleague which we would like to mention.
Vasiljevic, who plays in the Ukrainian Superleague was not able to help Halychyna (24-15) in their last game on Saturday. Despite his very good performance Halychyna was badly defeated 87-67 on their home court in Lviv by the second-ranked Ferro-ZNTU.
Vasiljevic was the top scorer with 17 points. He also added 3 passes.
Vasiljevic's total stats this season are: 8.6ppg, 1.6rpg and 3.9apg.
He is an international player who is currently on the senior Bosnia and Herzegovina National Team roster.
#7. Former international center Barisa Krasic (203-78, currently plays in Croatia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Jusuf Nurkic. However that was another game of his team in Croatian A1 which brought him to that list.
Krasic led KK Zadar to a victory against the third-ranked Cedevita (11-3) 79-74.
He recorded 12 points in a mere 17 minutes.
It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams in group Places 1-8. KK Zadar (11-3) is placed second.
It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row.
This year Krasic's total stats are: 7.7ppg and 2.9rpg in the 15 games.
He used to play for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team
eight years ago.
#8. Guard Josip Naletilic (195-89, agency: Interperformances, currently plays in Croatia) faced previously mentioned Jusuf Nurkic in the Croatian A1 last game.
Naletilic, who plays in the Croatian A1 was not able to secure a victory for Jolly (17-4) in their last game on Tuesday. Despite his good performance the third-placed Jolly was edged 77-76 on their home court in Sibenik by the second-ranked KK_Zadar in the Places 1-8 group.
Naletilic was the second best scorer with 13 points. He also added made 5 passes and 3 steals.
Naletilic's team will play only one more game in the Second Stage. And now that game is quite important.
Naletilic has averaged so far 5.6ppg, 1.8rpg, 2.4apg and 1.2spg.
He plays currently for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.
#9. International guard Muhamed Pasalic (192-87, currently plays in Greece) contributed to an easy victory against the tenth-ranked Kolossos (8-18) 99-82 in the Greek A1 in Saturday night's game.
Pasalic scored 11 points in 24 minutes.
Aris Thessaloniki (12-10) is placed sixth in the A1.
His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season.
This year Pasalic has relatively solid stats: 12.0ppg, 2.2rpg and 2.6apg in the 22 games.
He is also in the roster of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.
#10. Center Kenan Bajramovic (205-81, currently plays in Turkey) managed to help Banvit Basketbol Kulubu to win against the closely-ranked Besiktas (19-11) 68-65 in the Turkish TBL last Friday.
Bajramovic recorded only 3 points.
Banvit Basketbol Kulubu (25-5) is placed third in the TBL.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
Bajramovic has averaged so far 7.7ppg and 4.4rpg.
He is an international player who is currently on the senior Bosnia and Herzegovina National Team roster.
#11. International center Nedzad Sinanovic (221-83, currently plays in Spain) couldn't help Blancos de Rueda in their game against G.Canaria 2014 in the Spanish ACB.
Sinanovic recorded 6 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in 18 minutes.
His team was badly defeated by 16 points 78-62.
Sinanovic has averaged so far 7.7ppg and 4.7rpg in the 33 games.
He plays currently for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.
#12. U18 international power forward Emir Sulejmanovic (204-95, currently plays in Slovenia) couldn't help Un.Olimpija in their game against Krka in the Slovenian Telemach League. Sulejmanovic cannot count Monday's game as one of the best ones.
He recorded only 2 points.
His team was defeated 81-68.
Sulejmanovic has averaged so far 2.2ppg and 2.2rpg.
He is also in the roster of the Bosnia and Herzegovina U18 national team.
#13. Former international guard Diego Kapelan (190-87, college: McNeese St., currently plays in Greece) faced previously mentioned Muhamed Pasalic in the Greek A1 last game.
Kapelan couldn't help Kolossos in their game against Aris.
He scored only 4 points.
His team was badly defeated by 17 points 99-82.
This season Kapelan averages just 6.4ppg.
He used to play for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team
two years ago.
#14. International center Ognjen Kuzmic (215-90, currently plays in Spain) contributed to an easy victory against the closely-ranked Asefa Estudiantes crushing them 112-75 in the Spanish ACB on Sunday night.
Kuzmic recorded only 2 points in 3 minutes on the court.
Kuzmic has averaged so far 6.9ppg and 5.5rpg in the 27 games.
He plays currently for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.
The list of other players, who all have Bosnia and Herzegovina passport but never been selected to any of Bosnia and Herzegovina national teams:
#1.Zoran Planinic (198-G-82, agency: XL Basketball Agency, currently plays in VTB United League) led his Russian team Khimky to an easy victory against the fourth-ranked VEF Riga (11-7) crushing them 104-82 in the VTB United League last Friday.
Planinic recorded a double-double by scoring 11 points and making 13 passes.
BC Khimky Moscow Region (14-4) is placed first in group A.
It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row.
Planinic is ranked third on the list of the best passers in the league.
He has very reliable stats this season: 10.5ppg, 2.8rpg and 5.7apg.
Planinic has a dual citizenship: Croatian and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
#2.Mirza Begic (217-C-85, currently plays in Spain) contributed to an easy victory against the 11th-ranked FIATC Joventut (16-18) crushing them 85-64 in the Spanish ACB last Thursday.
Begic recorded 8 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks in only 14 minutes.
Real Madrid (30-4) is placed first in the ACB.
It was his team's fifth consecutive victory in a row.
There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical.
This year Begic's overall stats are: 5.4ppg and 3.0rpg in the 34 games he played so far.
He is another player who holds two passports: Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenian.
#3.Matija Ceskovic (192-G-81, currently plays in Romania) was the major contributor in a Targu Mures' victory against the closely-ranked Ploiesti (23-7) 91-81 in the Romanian Liga Nationala in Saturday night's game.
Ceskovic recorded 21 points and added 5 assists in 28 minutes.
It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. BC Mures Targu-Mures (23-7) is placed first in the Liga Nationala.
It was his team's eighth consecutive victory in a row.
This year Ceskovic has relatively solid stats: 14.3ppg, 1.4rpg and 3.2apg in the 26 games.
He has both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatian nationalities.
#4.Sead Sehovic (196-G/F-89, currently plays in Hungary), who plays in the Hungarian A Division could not help Szolnok (8-2) in their last game on Friday. Despite Sehovic's good performance the sixth-placed Szolnok was defeated 95-82 on the road by the second-ranked Atomeromu in the Places 1-6 group.
He recorded 14 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists.
This season Sehovic has relatively solid stats: 11.4ppg, 4.6rpg and 3.0apg.
He also holds two passports: Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegrin.
#5.Bojan Bogdanovic (203-SG-89, also represented by XL Basketball Agency, currently plays in Turkey), who plays in the Turkish TBL was not able to help Fenerbahce Ulker (24-6) in their last game. Despite Bogdanovic's good performance Fenerbahce Ulker lost 68-74 on the opponent's court to the lower-ranked (#5) Karsiyaka.
He recorded 10 points in 29 minutes.
This year Bogdanovic has relatively solid stats: 13.1ppg, 2.6rpg and 1.9apg in the 28 games.
He holds both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatian passports.
#6.Marko Keselj (206-SF-88, agency: Beo Basket, currently plays in France), who plays in the French ProA was not able to secure a victory for Le Mans (16-14) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Keselj's good performance Le Mans was defeated 75-70 in Villeurbanne by the higher-ranked ASVEL Lyon- Basket (#3).
He was the second best scorer with 12 points. Keselj also added 5 rebounds.
Keselj's total stats this season are: 9.4ppg and 4.9rpg.
He has Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbian nationalities.
#7.Seid Hajric (203-F-83, currently plays in Poland) led Anwil to a victory against the leader PGE Turow 75-63 in the Polish TBL in Thursday night's game.
Hajric scored 14 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 29 minutes.
This year Hajric has relatively solid stats: 10.3ppg and 5.6rpg in the 38 games.
He has dual citizenship: Bosnia and Herzegovina and Polish.
#8.Bojan Sarcevic (190-G-88, currently plays in Finland), who plays in the Finnish Korisliiga couldn't help KTP-Basket (32-12) in their last game on Friday. Despite Sarcevic's good performance KTP-Basket was badly defeated 85-67 in Loimaa by the leading n Korikonkarit.
He scored 14 points and added 4 assists.
This season Sarcevic has relatively solid stats: 10.3ppg, 3.6rpg, 3.4apg and 1.5spg.
#9. Experienced Sasha Topchov (206-C-80, currently plays in Romania) contributed to Oradea's victory against the closely-ranked Gaz Metan 73-68 in the Romanian Liga Nationala last Thursday.
Topchov recorded 15 points in 21 minutes.
This year Topchov has relatively solid stats: 11.9ppg and 3.8rpg in the 28 games.
#10.Goran Suton (208-C-85, college: Michigan St., currently plays in Croatia) couldn't help Cedevita in their game against KK Zadar in the Croatian A1.
He recorded 6 points.
His team was defeated 79-74.
Suton has averaged so far 6.4ppg and 4.1rpg.
He has Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatian nationalities.
Sasa Vasiljevic and Goran Ikonic finished successful season in Ukraine - May 18, 2013
POSTED BY:
EUROBASKET NEWS
follow us on
Sasa Vasiljevic (180-PG-79, agency: Beo Basket) and Goran Ikonic (196-G-80, agency: Beo Basket) finished successful season in Ukraine with their Halychyna. The latter finished fourth, however showed great basketball during the season.
Tonight Ferro-ZNTU celebrated the Superleague Bronze medals. They knocked down Halychyna in the fourth game of the consolation final series to step onto the pedestal. Randy Culpepper stepped up with 26 points to lead the visitors [read more]
Sasa Vasiljevic (180-PG-79, agency: Beo Basket) and Goran Ikonic (196-G-80, agency: Beo Basket) finished successful season in Ukraine with their Halychyna. The latter finished fourth, however showed great basketball during the season. Tonight Ferro-ZNTU celebrated the Superleague Bronze medals. They knocked down Halychyna in the fourth game of the consolation final series to step onto the pedestal. Randy Culpepper stepped up with 26 points to lead the visitors. The teams went neck and neck throughout the opening quarter. The scoreboard read 19:19 at the first break. But Ferro-ZNTU shifted the gear in the second period. The visitors unloaded 28 points to gain a 9-point halftime lead. Ferro-ZNTU stayed aggressive offensively in the second half. They sank 25 points in the third quarter to build a 12-point lead before the fourth stanza. Halychyna managed just 7 points in the fourth quarter as Ferro-ZNTU sealed the victory at the end. Jeremy Chappell provided 20 points and 6 boards, while Alexander Rybalko connected for 13 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in the victory. Sasa Vasiljevic answered with 17 points for Halychyna. Vladan Vukosavljevic netted 16 points and pulled down 10 rebounds in the losing effort.
The criticism of Ognjen Kuzmic not warranted or deserved!
It has been announced that Ognjen Kuzmic will play in the NBA Summer League instead of representing BiH in Eurobasket Slovenia this summer. This has set off a firestorm of criticism against him that he misled BiH and KSBiH officials.
The criticism isnt deserved, first of all because he has offered to play with Bosnia before and was rebuffed, twice [read more]
The criticism of Ognjen Kuzmic not warranted or deserved! It has been announced that Ognjen Kuzmic will play in the NBA Summer League instead of representing BiH in Eurobasket Slovenia this summer. This has set off a firestorm of criticism against him that he misled BiH and KSBiH officials. The criticism isnt deserved, first of all because he has offered to play with Bosnia before and was rebuffed, twice. Last year he joined the National Team but it became apparent early on he wasnt going to be given a shot to play significant minutes with the team and his agent told him he would be better off working out by himself and getting ready for the season. He then left the team and had the best season of his career in the best league outside of the NBA. Again he was approached about representing BiH and his agent asked for a guarantee of 20 minutes a game, a condition that KSBiH and Petrovic wouldnt guarantee that everyone needs to compete for their jobs. This seems a bit disingenuous considering some players on the team are guaranteed to start and play big minutes on the team, including Mirza Teletovic and Nihad Dedovic. Kuzmic may prove to be a better professional than both of these players as hard as it is to believe at this point. Kuzmic was never invited to the Bosnian U16, U18, U20 teams and was never treated as integral part of the future for Bosnia. He wasnt given the same opportunities as Nihad Dedovic, Mirza Teletovic or even Elemedin Kikanovic. Or as a core centerpiece of the future like Adin Vrabac, Nedim Buza and Jusuf Nurkic were last summer. Instead he was treated like Mirza Begic, Emir Preldzic, Nedzad Sinanovic and so many others before him who were never treated as a valuable commodity to be respected. It is time to give Kuzmic the benefit of the doubt, he is well on his way to establishing himself as a legitimate NBA player unlike previous NBA rejects Ratko Varda, Mile Illic and Aleksandar Radojovic who also were Bosnian players. Kuzmic and his agent are doing whats best for him first, something you cant fault him for considering his previous treatment by Bosnian officials and fans. It is time to embrace Kuzmic, wish him luck and hope that once he establishes himself he will rejoin Bosnia and represent her internationally and not push him farther away. Kuzmic has established himself as one of the best centers in Europe, a very good athlete for his size who can rebound, defend and guard the basket. You dont have to run any plays for him and he can backstop a defense for you. He is a bit like a poor mans Omer Asik, not a bad compliment considering Asik has developed into one of the best centers in the NBA.
Copyright (c) 1998-2013 Eurobasket Inc. Disclaimer
WARNING:
Do not copy, redistribute, publish or otherwise exploit information that you download from the site !
Do not encumber, license, modify, publish, sell, transfer or transmit, or in any way exploit, any of the
content of the site, nor will you attempt to do so.
