Igor Bakovic (211-F-85, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement) is originally from Bosnia, but he moved with his family to Canada a couple of years ago. Igor, who has both canadian and bosnian passport, played for Ryerson College in the CIS the past five years and was considered as one of the best big men to come out of the canadian college basketball system in the last years.

He averaged a double-double this season by pouring in 12.7ppg and 10.1rpg. Igor will be playing in the Scorers1st Showcase next week (June 13.-15.) in Dusseldorf, Germany to showcase his skills in front of coaches and managers. Eurobasket Germany had the chance to chat with Igor before the Showcase about his past, the present and his future:

1) You were considered as one of the best centers in Canadian college basketball the past seasons. Tell us a little bit more about you as a player.
I like to think that I was considered a pretty good player, always played against double teams and it was always hard to find open space and when I did, decisions had to be made very quickly. But because I played on a not so strong team, it made it even more difficult, because most of the time I was the only one being guarded. I lead the country in rebounding in my third year and our conference in my last year. Always finished in the top in blocks and scoring among centers.

2) A lot of people do not know much about the CIS. How would you compare the CIS to the NCAA?
CIS basketball is different from NCAA. It does not receive as much recognition partially because the level of play is not as high as NCAA and as well it is not considered a money making business as it is in the United States. The better CIS teams have played well against average and top NCAA Division 1 teams, also winning in some cases. Overall the competition is good but the fact that full scholarships are not given and that it is not as recognized on international televisions makes it hard to compete.

3) Being born in Bosnia, but raised and educated in Canada, do you feel more european or canadian?
I feel a bit of both. I still kept most of the roots and culture from Bosnia which have not changed since I have been living in Canada. I have come to understand both cultures and the way of life. How societies work here in North America compared to Europe. My studies have also helped me compare the two and have learned a lot since coming here.

4) How do you prepare for your first season as a pro basketball player?
The only way to prepare for anything that is unknown for you is to try and talk to as many people and listen, try to learn and pick up anything you can. Other then that, the only thing to do is to work hard, train train and train some more. It will be important for me to have a solid first year. Only way to do that is keep working on things that you need to develop and the things you know how to do well. No person can say I know everything, you learn every day.

5) Will you visit your family in Bosnia this summer?
I plan on visiting them but Ill have to see on what the scheduling allows. Time will tell.

Fileni Jesi defeated 102-94 Pepsi Caserta yesterday night, and the aggregate result of the Lega 2 Finals is now 2-1 for Caserta. Jesi took the lead of Game 3 at the beginning and never looked back, keeping alive the hopes to advance to Serie A. with 30 points and 11 rebounds, Michele Maggioli (212-C-77) was the game MVP, followed by Anthony Maestranzi (178-G-84, college: N.Illinois), who added 25 points. Caserta was led by Randolph Childress (190-G-72, college: Wake Forest) and Guillermo Diaz (188-G-85, college: Miami, FL), who scored 24 and 23 pts, respectively. Game 4 will be played tomorrow nigh, again at Jesi, and, in case of need, Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday, June 11 in Caserta.
See complete boxscores at www.legaduebasket.it