Tofas SC stole the last ticket from Novo Mesto and advanced to the next stage. The Turkish side needed an amazing 72:70 win for 4-2 record in Group A. Together with another Turkish representative Pinar Karsiyaka they advanced to Last 16 of EuroChallenge. The Slovenian side finished the group with 3-3 record on the third place. Tofas SC won the first period 20-17 and led 4 points at the halftime. Moreover they added 18-15 in the third period but had difficulties keeping the lead. Jakov Vladovic (187-PG-83) closed a 5-0 run for 70:66 and then Klobucar reduced to 71:68. Klobucar made another two free throws for 72:70 with 40 seconds to go, but Klobucar and Uros Lucic (207-C-83) failed to send the teams to overtime. Steven Burtt (185-G-84, college: Iona) led the way with 20 points and Austin Nichols (200-SF-82, college: Humboldt St.) notched 15. Tomislav Ruzic (207-F/C-79) and Joshua Heytvelt (210-F/C-86, college: Gonzaga) followed them with 13 apiece. Domen Lorbek (198-G/F-85) ended up with 13 points in the losing effort, while Uros Lucic, Marko Pajic (204-F/C-92) and Jakov Vladovic scored 11 each. Jure Lalic (210-C-86) posted 10 points in a loss.
Erazem Lorbek selected the top Slovenian playing abroad in last week's games - May 20, 2013
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Here is the weekly review of the top performing Slovenian players, who play currently abroad. This week's number one is former international power forward Erazem Lorbek (209-84). Heto a victory against one of league's weakest teams Lagun Aro GBC in the Spanish ACB in Thursday night's game.
[read more]
Here is the weekly review of the top performing Slovenian players, who play currently abroad.
#1. This week's number one is former international power forward Erazem Lorbek (209-84, college: Michigan St., currently plays in Spain). He led Regal FC Barcelona to a 1-point victory against one of league's weakest teams Lagun Aro GBC (8-26) 90-89 in the Spanish ACB in Thursday night's game.
Lorbek recorded 14 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 20 minutes on the court.
Regal FC Barcelona (23-11) is placed third 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.
It's Lorbek's fourth season with the team.
This year he averages: 9.9ppg, 3.4rpg, 2FGP: 56.0%(107-191), 3FGP: 29.9% and FT: 75.4% in the 34 games he played so far.
Lorbek played for the Slovenian senior national team two years ago.
#2. Second place goes to an experienced former international power forward Bostjan Nachbar (207-80, currently plays in Germany). He led Brose Baskets Bamberg to a victory against the seventh-ranked Phoenix Hagen (18-16) 104-94 in the German BBL last Sunday.
Nachbar scored 22 points, had 8 rebounds and dished 3 assists (went 8 for 8 at the free throw line).
Brose Baskets Bamberg (26-8) is placed first in the BBL.
Nachbar has relatively good stats this season: 13.5ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.2apg, 2FGP: 49.5%, 3FGP: 38.0% and FT: 81.8%.
He played for the Slovenian national team in 2010.
#3. The Slovenian player who performed third best last week abroad was former international guard Sani Becirovic (196-81, currently plays in Italy), who plays in the Italian SerieA. Becirovic could not help Banco di Sardegna Sassari (22-8) in their last game. Despite his very good performance Banco di Sardegna Sassari was edged 82-80 on the road by the lower-ranked (#7) Cantu.
Becirovic was the top scorer with 19 points (made all of his seven free throws) in a mere 18 minutes.
This year Becirovic's overall stats are: 8.9ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.9apg, 2FGP: 51.4%, 3FGP: 25.0% and FT: 82.9% in the nine games.
He has a dual citizenship: Slovenian and Italian.
Former Union Olimpija Ljubljana starter played for the Slovenian national team three years ago.
#4. Center Jusuf Nurkic (212-94, currently plays in Croatia) led KK Zadar to a 1-point victory over the fifth-ranked Jolly (7-7) 77-76 in the Croatian A1 in Tuesday night's game.
Nurkic was MVP of the game. He scored 22 points and grabbed 7 rebounds.
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 now that game is very crucial.
Nurkic is currently fifth on the league's list of best blockers.
His total stats this season are: 8.7ppg and 5.2rpg.
Nurkic is another player who holds two passports: Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenian.
He used to play for the Slovenian U16 national team
back in 2010.
#5. Former international center Mirza Begic (217-85, 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 important.
This year Begic's total stats are: 5.4ppg and 3.0rpg in the 34 games.
He has both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenian nationalities.
Begic used to play for the Slovenian national team
two years ago.
#6. Power forward Gasper Vidmar (211-87, currently plays in Turkey) was not able to help Besiktas (19-11) in their game against Banvit BK (25-5) in the Turkish TBL. He did not beat the league record on Friday evening.
Vidmar recorded only 3 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and made 2 blocks.
Besiktas was edged 68-65 in Balikesir by the higher-ranked Banvit BK (#3).
They ended the series of six consecutive victories.
Vidmar belongs to league's best blockers and is ranked #5.
He has averaged so far 8.5ppg, 6.3rpg and 1.1apg.
Vidmar is a former international player as he played for the Slovenian senior team three years ago.
#7. Former international swingman Zoran Dragic (196-89, currently plays in Spain) was not able to secure a victory for Unicaja Malaga (18-16) in their game against Regal FC Barcelona (23-11) in the Spanish ACB.
He recorded 7 points in only 9 minutes.
Unicaja Malaga lost 50-57 in Barcelona to the higher-ranked (#3) Regal FC.
It was Unicaja Malaga's first loss after four consecutive victories.
The Regular Season already ended.
It's Dragic's first season with the team.
Dragic has averaged so far 5.5ppg and 2.5rpg in the 28 games.
He used to play for the Slovenian national team
two years ago.
#8. Point guard Aleksandar Capin (186-82, agency: Beo Basket, currently plays in Serbia), who plays in the Serbian A League couldn't help Radnicki KG (13-9) in their last game on Wednesday. Despite Capin's good performance the third-placed Radnicki KG was defeated 72-66 at home by the leading Zvezda in the Superliga group.
He was the second best scorer with 13 points. Capin also added 4 assists.
There are only two games left until the end of the Second Stage. So now every game will be extremely important.
This season Capin has relatively solid stats: 10.3ppg, 2.1rpg and 4.1apg.
He used to play for the Slovenian national team
back in 2008.
#9. Former international small forward Emir Preldzic (205-87, also represented by Beo Basket, currently plays in Turkey) couldn't help Fenerbahce Ulker (24-6) in their game against Karsiyaka (23-7) in the Turkish TBL.
Preldzic recorded only 4 points.
Fenerbahce Ulker was defeated 74-68 on the opponent's court by the lower-ranked Karsiyaka (#5).
Preldzic is one of the most experienced players in a team as it's his sixth year in Fenerbahce Ulker's roster.
He has averaged so far 7.9ppg, 3.3rpg and 4.3apg.
Preldzic used to play for the Slovenian national team
five years ago.
#10. Power forward Uros Slokar (210-83, currently plays in Spain) managed to help Herbalife Gran Canaria 2014 to win against the 16th-ranked Blancos de Rueda (12-22) 78-62 in the Spanish ACB on Sunday night.
He recorded 5 points.
Herbalife Gran Canaria 2014 (19-15) is placed seventh in the ACB.
There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season.
Slokar has averaged so far 4.6ppg and 3.0rpg.
He is a former international player as two years ago he still played for the Slovenian senior national team.
#11. Former international small forward Nebojsa Joksimovic (193-81, currently plays in Bosnia) contributed to an easy victory against the fourth-ranked Bosna ASA BHT crushing them 86-58 in the Bosnia and Herzegovina Division I in Tuesday night's game.
Joksimovic scored only 2 points and blocked 2 shots in 17 minutes.
Joksimovic has averaged so far 7.3ppg, 3.1rpg and 2.9apg in the 11 games.
He used to play for the Slovenian national team
four years ago.
The list of other players, who all have Slovenian passport but never been selected to any of Slovenian national teams:
#1. Experienced Vlado Ilievski (190-PG-80, agency: Beo Basket, currently plays in Croatia), who plays in the Croatian A1 could not help Cedevita (11-3) to beat Cibona (12-2).
Ilievski scored 6 points and added 4 passes in 26 minutes.
Cedevita (#3) was edged 85-84 in a derby game by the leading Cibona in the Places 1-8 group.
It was Cedevita's first loss after five consecutive victories.
His team will play only one more game in the Second Stage.
Ilievski has averaged so far 5.4ppg and 2.3apg in the 12 games he played so far.
He has a dual citizenship: FYR Macedonian and Slovenian.
#2.Jure Balazic (204-F-80, currently plays in Turkey), who plays in the Turkish TBL was not able to help Erdemir (11-19) in their last game. Despite his good performance Erdemir was crushed 92-65 on the road by the higher-ranked (#5) Karsiyaka.
Balazic scored 12 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 25 minutes.
It was Erdemir's third consecutive loss in a row.
The Regular Season already ended.
Balazic has reliable stats this year: 11.6ppg and 5.7rpg in the 29 games.
#3.Damir Zeleznik (185-G-80, currently plays in Austria) was not able to secure a victory for Xion Dukes (21-9) in their game against Redwell Gunners Oberwart (18-12) in the Austrian A Bundesliga.
Zeleznik scored 7 points.
The league leader Xion Dukes was defeated 69-64 in Oberwart by the lower-ranked Redwell Gunners (#5).
Zeleznik has averaged so far 7.8ppg, 2.6rpg and 2.8apg.
He is another player who holds two passports: Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenian.
#4.Nejc Strnad (190-PG-83, currently plays in Greece) couldn't help Ikaros (12-14) in their game against Panionios (20-6) in the Greek A1.
Strnad scored only 4 points in 19 minutes.
Ikaros was crushed 86-62 at home by the higher-ranked (#3) Panionios.
His team will play only one more game in the Regular Season.
This year Strnad averages just 4.6ppg in the 25 games.
Coach Gasper Okorn will not remain head coach of Geoplin Slovan Ljubljana in the next season. After two seasons at Kodeljevo, he moves abroad again, this time to Asia, where he will coach Al Kuwait SC from Kuwait, where another Slovenian, Marko Milic (201-F-77) has shined at the end of this season and become MVP of the finals, after he led his team to the national championship title.At the same time, Al-Kuwait reached an agreement with another player who comes from Slovenia [read more]
Coach Gasper Okorn will not remain head coach of Geoplin Slovan Ljubljana in the next season. After two seasons at Kodeljevo, he moves abroad again, this time to Asia, where he will coach Al Kuwait SC from Kuwait, where another Slovenian, Marko Milic (201-F-77) has shined at the end of this season and become MVP of the finals, after he led his team to the national championship title.
At the same time, Al-Kuwait reached an agreement with another player who comes from Slovenia. It's a Croatian power forward Jasmin Perkovic (205-F-80), who joined Union Olimpija Ljubljana in January and is looking to win Slovenian Telemach League with the team from Ljubljana.
Union Olimpija beat Krka 73-68 in Game 3 to avoid a sweep in the finals. Jaka Blazic (196-G-90) scored 14 of his game-high 17 points in the first half, Drazen Bubnic (206-F-86) and Jasmin Perkovic (205-F-80) both poured in 11 points and Klemen Prepelic (191-G-92) came off the bench for 8 assists.
After tying at 27 midway through the second quarter, Olimpija scored five straight points to go up 32-27 and never looked back for rest of the game [read more]
Union Olimpija beat Krka 73-68 in Game 3 to avoid a sweep in the finals. Jaka Blazic (196-G-90) scored 14 of his game-high 17 points in the first half, Drazen Bubnic (206-F-86) and Jasmin Perkovic (205-F-80) both poured in 11 points and Klemen Prepelic (191-G-92) came off the bench for 8 assists. After tying at 27 midway through the second quarter, Olimpija scored five straight points to go up 32-27 and never looked back for rest of the game. They had their largest lead of the game at 45-33 early in the second half. Olimpija still had a double-digit advantage at 65-55 with five minutes left. Krka cut the deficit to 66-70 with 52 second into the game. Teemu Rannikko (189-PG-80) hit just one free throw for Olimpija, but Edo Muric (202-F-91) missed a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to two. Olimpija was outrebouned 26-36 and missed 15 free throws, but they shot 56-percent from the field (27-of-48) to Krka's just 42 percent (24-of-57). Krka was led by Jakov Vladovic (187-PG-83, agency: XL Basketball Agency) with his 13 points, Matjaz Smodis (205-F-79) added 11, Domen Lorbek (198-G/F-85) posted 10 points and Jaka Klobucar (198-G-87) had 8 points and 9 rebounds. Game 3: Krka-Union Olimpija 68-73 (series 2-1) KRKA 68 (22+12+11+23):
Lorbek 10, *Vladovic 13+5 as, *Rojc, Lali 2, Smodis 11, *Pavic 8, *Lucic 8,
Pajic DNP, Bolcina DNP, *Klobucar 8+9 rbs, Anderson 6, E.Muric 2. UNION OLIMPIJA 73 (23+19+13+18): Kokol DNP, Rupnik 2, Prepelic 6+8 as, *Blazic 17, Rannikko 5, *Salin 9, *Bubnik 11, *Perkovic 11, *Mocnik 6, Sulejmanovic 2, Omic 4.
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