Bosnians shine in early season NBA European team matchups! Bosnians have played a big part in the first two matches held between NBA teams and European clubs. In the big upset of Fenerbahces win over the Boston Celtics two Bosnians who were drafted by NBA clubs played key roles in the teams 97-91 victory. Bosnian Bojan Bogdanovic scored 11 points with 2 rebounds 2 assists and a steal. Fellow Bosnian and NBA draft pick Emir Preldzic (205-SF-87, agency: Beo Basket) didnt shoot well scoring 4 points on 2-7 from the field but contributed 4 rebounds 4 assists and a steal. Naturalized Macedonian Bo McCaleb proved once again he belongs on the hardwoods with the elite players in the world, led the upset with 21 points 4 rebounds, 5 assists and two steals on a very efficient 9-14 from the field. The fact that a team in the NBA hasnt offered him a big contract doesnt make sense considering he is the best basketball player not currently in the NBA.
Alba Berlin almost pulled off another upset of an NBA team losing in the end 84-89 to the Dallas Mavericks. Two Bosnians played a key role for Alba Berlin in the near upset, Bosnian Vule Avdalovic from Gacko scored 13 points and dished out 4 assists, providing hope for Alba Berlin that his injuries of the last few years are a thing of the past. Fellow Bosnian Nihad Dedovic also put on a show for Alba as well scoring 15 points and pulling down 5 boards. Nihad is coming off a very strong summer showing with Bosnia and appears to be out to prove to those who passed on him in last years NBA draft that they made a mistake. Former NBAer Deon Thompson led the effort for Alba with 20 points 5 rebounds and four steals.
Bosnias youth and senior teams are coming off very successful summer campaigns and star Mirza Teletovic is attempting to break into the NBA with the Brooklyn Nets after being the best power forward in Europe the last few years.
Igokea - Siroki WWin 69-61 (1-0)
Igokea wins Game 1 of the Finals 69:61. HKK Siroki WWin trailed by 11 points after 3 quarters before a 23-20 run in the last quarter cut the deficit to 61-69 at the end of the game. Igokea made 16-of-17 free shots (94.1 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of Montenegrin power forward Milos Komatina (205-84) who helped to win the game recording 13 points and 5 rebounds [read more]
Igokea wins Game 1 of the Finals 69:61. HKK Siroki WWin trailed by 11 points after 3 quarters before a 23-20 run in the last quarter cut the deficit to 61-69 at the end of the game. Igokea made 16-of-17 free shots (94.1 percent) during the game. Worth to mention a great performance of Montenegrin power forward Milos Komatina (205-84) who helped to win the game recording 13 points and 5 rebounds. Forward Aleksandar Radukic (206-91) contributed with 9 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. Igokea's coach Dragan Bajic used an eleven-player rotation which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Croatian forward Zeljko Sakic (204-88, agency: Beo Basket) answered with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 10 rebounds and forward Boris Barac (205-92) added 9 points and 9 rebounds in the effort for HKK Siroki WWin. Four HKK Siroki WWin players scored in double figures. Top scorers: Igokea: M.Komatina 13+5reb, B.Jorovic 10+4reb, A.Radukic 9+6reb, F.Adamovic 8+2reb, S.Stemberger 8+5reb, N.Joksimovic 7+1reb+4ast Siroki WWin: Z.Sakic 16+10reb+3ast, I.Ramljak 12+4reb+3ast, K.Vragovic 11+2reb+2ast, M.Sutalo 10+1reb+1ast, B.Barac 9+9reb+2ast, J.Jones 3+3reb+2ast
The Elvis Begic story turns out to be a fake!
The story and video became a viral hit, a young Bosnian basketball in Grand Rapids Michigan is seen hitting threes, driving the lane and blocking shots. In the video he towers over the competition standing at 210cm as a 1997 born freshman. As the story goes his doctors claim he will grow into a 220cm center minimum. All sounds good right? Except one small problem, Elvis Begic doesnt exist [read more]
The Elvis Begic story turns out to be a fake! The story and video became a viral hit, a young Bosnian basketball in Grand Rapids Michigan is seen hitting threes, driving the lane and blocking shots. In the video he towers over the competition standing at 210cm as a 1997 born freshman. As the story goes his doctors claim he will grow into a 220cm center minimum. All sounds good right? Except one small problem, Elvis Begic doesnt exist. The alleged school he attends in North Pointe Christian Academy, the Mustangs are a real school and a real basketball team. However the athletic director says he has never heard of him and has no one on the team standing 210cm. Also the alleged AAU team he was to play for this summer the Grand Rapids Storm has never heard of him and dont have anyone of his size. Klix.ba apparently never verified any of the stories and falsified the alleged sources indicating there was more than one source when doing the story. When asked about it they amended their story and claimed they just received an email from the alleged kid and a link to the video on Youtube, which has now been changed to private. No record of any Elvis Begic or either of his alleged parents Adnan or his alleged American mother. No one has ever heard of this kid Grand Rapids Michigan. A Google search shows up nothing, a search of Jr Varsity basketball box scores for the school make no mention of a player named Elvis Begic. Also the story seemed unlikely from the beginning, why would a high school not be playing a 210cm freshman of immense talent on the regular squad, instead stashing him on the junior team? Samir Sehic was starting in Varsity as a freshman against the best players in the countryOnce again this story proves if it is too good to be true, it probably is.
Ivan Opacak selected the top Bosnian playing abroad in last week's games - May 20, 2013
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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.
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