Ibar from Rozaje signed tonight their second American player for this season. His name is John Clark (205-C-89, agency: INVICTUS Sports Group) and he arrived to Rozaje today. Clark plays as 4-5 and is expected to bring athleticism and scoring options to the team coached by Rejhan Palamura (agency: BBEH Cokrlija ).He played two season ago in German and Spanish lower leagues and this season he signed in December a contract with KB RTV 21, a club from Kosovo (SuperLeague) but he did not stay there long.
Ibar has a positive experience with American players because their team leader and best scorer in Erste Basketball League is Texas native and Eurobasket.com blogger, Brandon Roberson (180-PG, agency: BBEH Cokrlija, college: Missouri Baptist).
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Marko Todorovic selected the top Montenegrin playing abroad in last week's games - May 20, 2013
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Here is the weekly review of the top performing Montenegrin players, who play currently abroad. This week's number one is U21 international power forward Marko Todorovic (210-92), who plays in Spain. He could not help Regal FC Barcelona (13-1) in their last game. Despite Todorovic's good performance the first-placed Regal FC Barcelona was edged 74-73 on the road by the leading CSKA Moscow in the group F of Euroleague.
[read more]
Here is the weekly review of the top performing Montenegrin players, who play currently abroad.
#1. This week's number one is U21 international power forward Marko Todorovic (210-92, currently plays in Euroleague), who plays in Spain. He could not help Regal FC Barcelona (13-1) in their last game. Despite Todorovic's good performance the first-placed Regal FC Barcelona was edged 74-73 on the road by the leading CSKA Moscow in the group F of Euroleague.
He was the second best scorer with 11 points. Todorovic also added 4 rebounds in 20 minutes on the court.
This year Todorovic averages: 2.4ppg, 2.2rpg, 2FGP: 56.0%(14-25) and FT: 59.1% in the 18 games he played so far.
He is currently a member of the Montenegrin U21 national team.
#2. Second place goes to an international center Blagota Sekulic (209-82, agency: FCM, currently plays in Spain), who plays in the Spanish ACB. Sekulic was not able to help CB Canarias (17-17) in their last game on Sunday. Despite his very good performance CB Canarias was edged in an overtime 111-108 in Murcia by the lower-ranked UCAM (#13).
Sekulic recorded a double-double by scoring 25 points and getting 13 rebounds.
The Regular Season already ended.
Sekulic has relatively good stats this season: 11.8ppg, 5.2rpg, 2FGP: 54.1%, 3FGP: 29.7% and FT: 72.4%.
He is in the roster of the Montenegrin senior national team.
#3. The Montenegrin player who performed third best last week abroad was an international power forward Bojan Dubljevic (205-91, agency: Beo Basket, currently plays in Spain). Dubljevic led Valencia Basket to a victory over the closely-ranked Gescrap BB (19-15) 72-61 in the Spanish ACB on Sunday night.
He was MVP of the game. Dubljevic scored 16 points in a mere 17 minutes.
Valencia Basket (22-12) is placed fourth in the ACB.
It was his team's third 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 Dubljevic has relatively solid stats: 12.1ppg, 3.7rpg, 2FGP: 54.5%, 3FGP: 47.8%(33-69) and FT: 84.2% in the 33 games.
He is also a member of the Montenegrin senior national team.
#4. Swingman Milos Borisov (198-85, currently plays in Serbia) was the main contributor in a Radnicki KG's victory against the 14th-ranked Vojvodina 85-78 in the Serbian A League in Saturday night's game.
Borisov was the best player in that game. He scored 24 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.
Radnicki Kragujevac (13-9) is placed third in Superliga group.
There are only two games left until the end of the Second Stage. So now every game is very crucial.
It's Borisov's first season with the team.
Borisov has reliable stats this year: 10.4ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.6apg and 1.2spg.
He is also Montenegrin national team player.
#5. International power forward Milko Bjelica (205-84, also represented by Beo Basket, currently plays in Spain) was not able to secure a victory for Caja Laboral (25-9) in their game against Asefa Estudiantes (15-19) in the Spanish ACB.
Bjelica scored 9 points.
But Caja Laboral was defeated 90-80 at home by the much lower-ranked Asefa Estudiantes (#12).
There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be important.
Bjelica's overall stats this season are: 5.9ppg, 3.0rpg and 1.1apg.
He has a dual citizenship: Serbian and Montenegrin.
Bjelica plays currently for the Montenegrin national team.
#6. Swingman Sead Sehovic (196-89, currently plays in Hungary), who plays in the Hungarian A Division couldn't help Szolnok (8-2) in their last game. Despite his good performance Szolnok (#6) lost 82-95 in Paks to the second-ranked Atomeromu in the Places 1-6 group.
Sehovic recorded 14 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists in 34 minutes.
They ended the series of seven consecutive victories.
Sehovic's stats this year are: 11.5ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.0apg and 1.1spg in the 13 games.
He is an international player who is currently on the senior Montenegrin National Team roster.
#7. International shooting guard Bojan Bakic (195-83, currently plays in Serbia) couldn't help Metalac (3-9) in their game against Mega Vizura (9-3) in the Serbian A League, despite his very good performance on Wednesday night.
He was the top scorer with 24 points. Bakic also added 4 assists (was perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line !!!) in 35 minutes.
But Metalac (#6) was crushed 90-68 on the opponent's court by the second-ranked Mega_Vizura in the Superliga group.
There are only two games left until the end of the Second Stage.
Bakic is ranked first on the list of the top scorers in the league with 19.1ppg.
This year his other stats are: 2.9rpg and 2.4apg in the 25 games.
Bakic is also Montenegrin national team player.
#8. Point guard Omar-Sharif Cook (188-82, another player represented by Beo Basket, college: St.John's, currently plays in Spain) is a teammate of previously mentioned Milko Bjelica and both played together in the last Spanish ACB game.
Cook couldn't help Caja Laboral (25-9) in their game against Asefa Estudiantes (15-19).
He scored only 4 points.
Caja Laboral was defeated 90-80 on their home court in Vitoria by the much lower-ranked Asefa Estudiantes (#12).
Cook's overall stats this season are: 3.1ppg, 1.2rpg and 2.7apg.
He is a naturalized American.
Cook plays currently for the Montenegrin national team.
Strangely he has never played in Montenegro.
#9. Former international center Slavko Vranes (230-83, another player represented by Beo Basket, currently plays in Serbia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Bojan Bakic. But that was another game of his team in Serbian A League which we would like to mention.
Vranes couldn't help Metalac (3-9) in their game against Partizan (-), despite his very good performance in Sunday night's game.
He was the second best scorer with 13 points. Vranes also added 4 rebounds and made 4 blocks in 28 minutes.
But Metalac (#6) was crushed 88-62 on their home court in Valjevo by the lower-ranked (#12) Partizan in the Superliga group.
This year Vranes' overall stats are: 9.7ppg, 5.1rpg and 2.5bpg in the 12 games.
He used to play for the Montenegrin national team
two years ago.
#10. Power forward Vladimir Dasic (208-88, currently plays in Serbia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Bojan Bakic. He played also in the last Serbian A League game facing Slavko Vranes (above) in the other team.
Dasic couldn't help Metalac (3-9) in their game against Partizan (-).
He scored 9 points and grabbed 9 rebounds.
But Metalac (#6) was crushed 88-62 on their home court in Valjevo by the lower-ranked Partizan (#12) in the Superliga group.
Dasic averaged so far 12.2ppg, 8.2rpg, 1.9apg and 1.8spg.
He is an international player who is currently on the senior Montenegrin National Team roster.
#11. Former U21 international center Milovan Savic (205-87, currently plays in Serbia) couldn't help Konstantin in their game against Sloboda in the Serbian A League, despite his very good performance on Saturday night.
Savic was the second best scorer with 13 points. He also added 4 rebounds in 23 minutes.
But his team lost 71-77.
This year Savic's total stats are: 9.7ppg, 4.2rpg and 1.2apg in the 33 games.
He used to play for the Montenegrin U21 national team
six years ago.
#12. Former U21 international power forward Igor Bijelic (207-88, currently plays in Bosnia) couldn't help Mladost in their game against HKK Siroki WWin in the Bosnia and Herzegovina Division I. Despite his very good performance in Tuesday night's game Bijelic was the top scorer with 15 points. He also added 6 rebounds.
Bijelic is currently seventh on the league's list of top scorers and also on the list of best blockers (first place).
He has individually a very good season with high stats. Bijelic averages: 16.6ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.3apg and 1.1bpg.
He used to play for the Montenegrin U21 national team
back in 2007.
#13. International power forward Ivan Maras (207-86, currently plays in Greece) couldn't help Ilysiakos in their game against Olympiacos in the Greek A1.
Maras scored 8 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 27 minutes.
His team lost 70-81.
He has averaged so far 6.0ppg, 6.7rpg and 1.3spg in the three games.
Maras is also Montenegrin national team player.
#14. International guard Boris Bakic (193-86, another player represented by Beo Basket, currently plays in FYR Macedonia) managed to help KK MZT Skopje Aerodrom in a victory against the second-ranked Kozuv 73-57 in the FYR Macedonian Prva Liga in Sunday night's game.
Bakic recorded only 3 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists in 28 minutes.
Bakic has averaged so far 7.6ppg, 2.5rpg and 2.8apg in the 13 games.
He plays currently for the Montenegrin national team.
#15. An experienced former international forward Ivan Ivanovic (205-80, currently plays in Romania) couldn't help Gaz Metan in their game against Oradea in the Romanian Liga Nationala.
Ivanovic recorded 5 points.
His team was defeated 73-68.
Ivanovic averaged so far 12.6ppg, 5.7rpg and 1.9apg.
He used to play for the Montenegrin national team
five years ago.
The list of other players, who all have Montenegrin passport but never been selected to any of Montenegrin national teams:
#1.Nikola Mirotic (207-F/C-91, currently plays in Euroleague), who plays in Spain could not help Real Madrid (10-4) to beat Olympiacos (9-5).
Mirotic recorded 7 points in 22 minutes.
Real Madrid (#2) lost 88-100 on the road to the second-ranked Olympiacos in the group E of Euroleague.
It was Real Madrid's third consecutive loss in a row.
Mirotic's stats this year are: 11.4ppg and 5.3rpg in the 29 games he played so far.
He has a dual citizenship: Montenegrin and Spanish.
Despite Mirotic's Montenegrin passport, he previously played for the Spanish U20 national team and is probably not eligible to play for the Montenegrin team.
#2.Radomir Marojevic (207-C-81, currently plays in Serbia) led Vojvodina to a victory over the eighth-ranked Konstantin (1-11) 86-69 in the Serbian A League last Wednesday.
Marojevic was the top player that evening. He scored 20 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.
KK Vojvodina Novi Sad (7-5) is placed fourth in Superliga group.
There are only two games left until the end of the Second Stage. So now every game will be critical.
Marojevic's overall stats this season are: 10.0ppg and 3.4rpg.
#3.Bojan Subotic (203-F-90, currently plays in Serbia) contributed to Zvezda's victory against the third-ranked Radnicki KG (13-9) 72-66 in the Serbian A League in Wednesday night's game.
He scored 11 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.
It was the game of the round between two top 3 ranked teams in group Superliga. Crvena Zvezda Telekom Beograd (22-3) is placed first.
There are only two games left until the end of the Second Stage.
Subotic's overall stats this season are: 5.2ppg and 2.8rpg.
#4. Experienced Branko Cuic (197-G-78, currently plays in Romania) contributed to a Targu Mures' victory against the closely-ranked Ploiesti (23-7) 91-81 in the Romanian Liga Nationala last Saturday.
He had a double-double by scoring 16 points and getting 11 rebounds. Cuic also added 3 assists and 3 steals in 37 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.
Cuic is ranked seventh on the list of the best rebounders in the league and also on the list of best passers (fifth place).
He has very reliable stats this year: 14.7ppg, 7.0rpg and 5.4apg in the 38 games.
#5.Petar Despotovic (194-G-88, agency: Alti Sport, currently plays in Serbia), who plays in the Serbian A League was not able to help Konstantin (1-11) in their last game on Sunday. Despite his good performance Konstantin (#8) was defeated 83-70 in Beograd by the leading Zvezda in the Superliga group.
Despotovic was the second best scorer with 11 points.
There are only two games left until the end of the Second Stage.
Despotovic has averaged so far 8.5ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.0apg and 1.2spg.
He is another player who holds two passports: Montenegrin and Serbian.
Despite Despotovic's Montenegrin nationality, he previously played for the Serbian university national team and probably cannot be called to the Montenegrin team.
#6.Damjan Kandic (208-F-84, currently plays in Romania) is a teammate of previously mentioned Branko Cuic and both played together in the last Romanian Liga Nationala game.
Kandic helped Targu Mures win their game against the closely-ranked Ploiesti 91-81.
He recorded 7 points in only 14 minutes.
Kandic has averaged so far 6.1ppg, 4.0rpg and 1.1apg in the 16 games.
#7.Milos Komatina (205-F/C-84, currently plays in Bosnia) managed to help BC Igokea Aleksandrovac to win against the fourth-ranked Bosna ASA BHT crushing them 86-58 in the Bosnia and Herzegovina Division I on Tuesday night.
He scored only 4 points.
Komatina has averaged so far 4.6ppg and 3.0rpg.
#8.Nikola Vucurovic (200-G/F-80, agency: Global Sports Plaza, currently plays in FYR Macedonia) was not able to secure a victory for Feni Indistrija in their game against MZT Skopje in the FYR Macedonian Prva Liga.
He scored 6 points in 26 minutes.
His team lost 77-84.
Vucurovic has averaged so far 9.7ppg, 4.1rpg and 1.1spg in the 17 games.
Player of the Year: Aleksa Popovic (201-SF-87) of Buducnost; Guard of the Year: Dee Bost (187-G-89) of Buducnost; Forward of the Year: Aleksa Popovic (201-SF-87) of Buducnost; Center of the Year: Savo Djikanovic (211-C-75) of Jaszberenyi; Domestic Player of the Year: Aleksa Popovic (201-SF-87) of Buducnost; Import Player of the Year: Dee Bost (187-G-89) of Buducnost; Young Player of the Year: Nikola Zizic (195-G-94) of Sutjeska; Coach of the Year: Dusan Dubljevic of Sutjeska; 1st Team: G: Dee Bo [read more]
Eurobasket.com All-Montenegrin League 1st Team 2013
Bost
Pavlicevic
Popovic
Lee
Djikanovic
Player of the Year: Aleksa Popovic (201-SF-87) of Buducnost Guard of the Year: Dee Bost (187-G-89) of Buducnost Forward of the Year: Aleksa Popovic (201-SF-87) of Buducnost Center of the Year: Savo Djikanovic (211-C-75) of Jaszberenyi Domestic Player of the Year: Aleksa Popovic (201-SF-87) of Buducnost Import Player of the Year: Dee Bost (187-G-89) of Buducnost Young Player of the Year: Nikola Zizic (195-G-94) of Sutjeska Coach of the Year: Dusan Dubljevic of Sutjeska
Acie Earl (208-F/C-70, college: Iowa), former Boston Celtics draft pick and the second player ever, after Jerome James (216-C-75, college: Florida A&M) who signed in Montenegro with NBA experience on his resume, is talking to Eurobasket.com about his NBA experience, ups and downs in Europe and ambitions for the future [read more]
Acie Earl (208-F/C-70, college: Iowa), former Boston Celtics draft pick and the second player ever, after Jerome James (216-C-75, college: Florida A&M) who signed in Montenegro with NBA experience on his resume, is talking to Eurobasket.com about his NBA experience, ups and downs in Europe and ambitions for the future.
Hello Acie, most true basketball fans have heard about you- at the University of Iowa, you were a 3 year starter, Playboy Pre Season All American, Chicago Tribune's Big Ten Player of the Year plus 2nd leading career scorer at Iowa and All Time shot block leader at Iowa. But I would like to hear how did it all start? Have you always considered basketball as your dream job?
As a kid in the 3rd grade I saw Magic Johnson (207-G-59, college: Michigan St.) play on tv and I wanted to play since and I followed the NBA and college on tv growing up, even collecting basketball cards.
You were the 19th pick in the 1st round of the '93 draft with the Boston Celtics. That draft class included some well known names such as Chris Webber (208-F/C-73, college: Michigan), Anfernee Hardaway (201-G/F-71, college: Memphis) or Allan Houston (198-G-71, college: Tennessee). Some great players such as Sam Cassell (191-G-69, college: Florida St.) or Nick Van Exel (185-G-71, college: Cincinnati) got the call after you did it while Bruce Bowen (200-F-71, college: CS Fullerton) and Charles Outlaw (203-F-71, college: Houston) were undrafted. Could you try to explain the feeling when NBA commissioner David Stern called your name? Did you have any guarantees or desires before the draft?
I was supposed to go lottery that year but the draft lottery had a lot of underclassmen come out of college as the 1st 7 or 8 picks were underclassmen, if they had not come out then I would have been a lottery pick, so to actually have David Stern say my name was unreal and the walk across the stage and shake his hand a dream come true.
You played 4 years in the NBA with the Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors in the 90s. The 90s were considered the era of Michael Jordan (199-F-63, college: N.Carolina) but also the golden age of big and talented post players. Who was the toughest opponent you have faced in your NBA career?
In January 1998 you moved to France and signed with Racing Paris, a very ambitious club at that time, mostly known now as Tony Parkers first club. How hard for an experienced NBA player like you was the transition from NBA rules and comodity to European game?
It wasn't hard to play for the style, it was just hard to adjust to coaching style and philophies as I was playing for a Serbian coach (Bozidar Maljkovic (agency: Interperformances )) who coached Dino Radja (210-C-67), Drazen Petrovic (196-G-64) and Toni Kukoc (210-F-68) so just hard to understand to that style of ball.
However, your overseas career lasted eight years in notable basketball countries such as Spain, Greece, France, Turkey. You won many individual awards such as Turkish League MVP in 2001 and Kosovo League MVP in 2004. Considering your enormous experience could you tell us which league was most competitive and where did you enjoy playing and living?
Australia was fun and good life, France also, Austria truly most interesting . Russia most wild, China so different.. all had such ups and downs , Poland Serbia ect.
In December 2003 you joined Buducnost and played for the club from Podgorica in ULEB Cup and Adriatic League. The falling giant from Podgorica did not have a great season but you, Dejan Milojevic (200-F-77, agency: Beo Basket), Mladen Sekularac (203-G/F-81) and Tony Stanley (193-SG-77, college: Dayton) led them in both competitions along with prominent players such as Ivan Koljevic (187-PG-84), Ivan Maras (207-PF-86) and Zarko Rakocevic (204-F-84, agency: Interperformances). How did you like that team and how good were your relations with the coach Miodrag Baletic ?
The Buducnost team was cool. It was fun to play on such as famous euro league team ,but they were on the downward fall and I was brought in late to help but it was too late, the coach was okay, not great not bad, he felt a lot of pressure and I think they fired him after they then let me go.
Adriatic League is now considered as one of the best leagues in Europe. Back in 2003/2004 how competitive it was and did you like the level?
It was okay then, hard play but a lot of young prospects with Red Star and the other big team in the capital of Serbia. I could see it big now as the players could always dribble, shoot and were big, and also played a very smart floor game.
In August 2004 you suffered a career ending injury (torn Achilles tendon), just a week after you signed with Zadar, another Adriatic League team. How hard it was to quit basketball and what were the alternatives at that time?
It wasn't hard to quit, mentally I was drained, at 32 I was starting to feel it and could see myself retiring. I just was not ready off the court yet, also most of my friends were coaching in the states at college or semi pro, so I thought to do that but really after seeing it close up I didn't want to coach at a high level.
Your basketball program (more info at http://www.venomsportstraining.com) is proven for success. You have been running your own kids camp for 3-12th graders for years in Dubuque, Iowa. and also held individual workouts for past Iowa Hawkeyes who wanted to prolong and start their pro careers such as Glen Worley (203-F-81, college: Iowa), Duez Henderson (201-F-80, college: Iowa) and Jason Price (184-G-77, college: Iowa). What are your plans for your coaching career? Would you like to return to Europe as a coach?
I would never coach professional or overseas unless my wife divorced me and I wanted a new start, now I coach at that AAU level with boys and girls with www.venomsportsgirls.com or www.venomsportsboys.com
Thank you for this interview Acie. Eurobasket.com wishes you plenty of success in everything you do!
Actually, now I sell real estate, write a book and tutor student athletes at the University of Iowa. All the best!
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