Zack Wright selected the top Bosnian playing abroad in last week's games - Mar 18, 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.
#1. This week's number one is an international guard Zack Wright (195-85, college: Central Mo., currently plays in Eurocup), who plays in Russia. He could not help Spartak St.Petersburg (3-3) in their last game on Wednesday. Despite Wright's good performance the second-placed Spartak St.Petersburg was badly defeated 73-56 on the road by the leading Budivelnyk in the group K of Eurocup.
He was the second best scorer with 14 points. Wright also added 8 boards, handed out 5 passes and blocked 2 shots.
It's Wright's first season with the team.
Wright is ranked fifth on the list of the best passers in the league.
He has very reliable stats this season: 11.4ppg, 3.6rpg, 5.5apg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 67.4%(60-89) and FT: 72.4%.
Wright is a naturalized American.
He is currently a member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina senior national team. Strangely Wright has never played in Bosnia.
#2. Second place goes to an experienced international shooting guard Ivan Opacak (201-80, agency: INVICTUS Sports Group, currently plays in Poland), who plays in the Polish TBL. Opacak was not able to help PGE Turow (16-8) in their last game. Despite his very good performance PGE Turow (#2) lost 81-86 at home to the leading Trefl Sopot in the Places 1-6 group.
Opacak was the top scorer with 23 points in 26 minutes.
It was PGE Turow's third consecutive loss in a row.
This year Opacak averages: 9.8ppg, 2.7rpg, 2FGP: 54.8%, 3FGP: 36.9% and FT: 85.7% in the 23 games he played so far.
He has a dual citizenship: Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatian.
Ex-KK Zenica Celik player is in the roster of the Bosnia and Herzegovina senior national team.
#3. The Bosnia and Herzegovina player who performed third best last week abroad was an international forward Nihad Djedovic (198-90, agency: Beo Basket, currently plays in Germany), who plays in the German BBL. Djedovic was not able to secure a victory for ALBA Berlin (16-10) in their last game on Sunday. Despite his good performance ALBA Berlin was defeated 94-87 in Hagen by the lower-ranked Phoenix (#9).
Djedovic recorded 13 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists (made all of his seven free throws).
Djedovic's overall stats this season are: 9.7ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.1apg, 2FGP: 51.3%, 3FGP: 19.0% and FT: 85.7%.
He is also a member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina senior national team.
#4. Guard Ernest Bremer (194-80, agency: Higher Vision Sports, college: St.Bonaventure, currently plays in Italy) led Armani Milano to an overtime victory against the closely-ranked Umana Venezia (11-12) 97-88 in the Italian SerieA in Sunday night's game.
Bremer recorded 12 points.
EA7 Emporio Armani Milano (14-9) is placed fifth in the SerieA.
Bremer's overall stats this season are: 6.3ppg, 1.7rpg and 2.2apg.
He is a naturalized American.
Bremer used to play for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team
back in 2011. He played also for Bosna ASA BH Telecom Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina league.
#5. Former international guard Marko Popovic (193-84, currently plays in Serbia) led Sloga to a 3-point victory over the closely-ranked BKK Radnicki (8-17) 86-83 in the Serbian A League last Saturday.
Popovic was MVP of the game. He recorded 24 points and added 9 assists (made all of his six free throws).
KK Sloga Societe Generale Kraljevo (9-16) is placed 12th in the A League.
Popovic's team will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical.
Popovic belongs to league's top scorers (ranked #2) and also on the list of best passers (first place).
He has individually a very good season with high stats. Popovic averages: 18.1ppg, 2.4rpg, 8.1apg and 1.4spg.
He is another player who holds two passports: Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbian.
Popovic used to play for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team
four years ago.
#6. Forward Milan Milosevic (205-85, agency: Interperformances, currently plays in Adriatic League) couldn't help Buducnost (15-10) in their game against Zvezda (18-7) in the Adriatic League, despite his good performance on Saturday night.
He recorded 10 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in 16 minutes.
But Buducnost was badly defeated 79-63 in Beograd by the second-ranked Zvezda.
Milosevic's team will play only one more game in the Adriatic League Regular Season. And now that game is very crucial.
This year Milosevic's overall stats are: 1.9ppg and 2.5rpg in the 24 games.
He is an international player who is currently on the senior Bosnia and Herzegovina National Team roster.
#7. International center Kenan Bajramovic (205-81, currently plays in Turkey) managed to help Banvit Basketbol Kulubu in a victory against the 12th-ranked Besiktas (6-18) 67-56 in the Turkish TBL last Monday.
Bajramovic scored 5 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 23 minutes.
Banvit Basketbol Kulubu (19-2) is placed first in the TBL.
It was his team's 12th consecutive victory in a row.
This year Bajramovic's total stats are: 8.1ppg, 5.0rpg and 1.1apg in the 20 games.
He is also Bosnia and Herzegovina national team player.
#8. Forward Mirza Teletovic (206-85, also represented by Beo Basket, currently plays in NBA) couldn't help the Brooklyn Nets (38-28) in their game against the Philadelphia 76ers (25-40) in the NBA.
Teletovic recorded only 4 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.
The Brooklyn Nets were defeated 106-97 in Philadelphia by the 76ers.
Teletovic has averaged so far 3.5ppg and 1.9rpg.
He plays currently for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.
#9. International point guard Nemanja Gordic (192-88, currently plays in Adriatic League) couldn't help Partizan (15-10) in their game against MZT Skopje (13-12) in the Adriatic League.
Gordic recorded 7 points and added 4 assists.
Partizan was edged 66-64 in Skopje by the lower-ranked MZT Skopje (#8).
His team will play only one more game in the Adriatic League Regular Season.
Gordic has averaged so far 5.4ppg, 1.2rpg and 1.7apg.
He is also in the roster of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.
#10. Power forward Elvir Ovcina (212-76, another player represented by Interperformances, college: Syracuse, currently plays in Germany) couldn't help LTi 46ers (4-23) in their game against New Yorker Phantoms (11-15) in the German BBL. Despite his very good performance in Saturday night's game Ovcina recorded a double-double by scoring 23 points and getting 10 rebounds. He also added 5 assists.
Ovcina is currently third on the list of best rebounders.
This season he has very good stats: 13.5ppg, 7.2rpg and 3.3apg.
Ovcina is a former international player as eight years ago he still played for the Bosnia and Herzegovina senior national team.
#11. International point guard Sasa Vasiljevic (180-79, another player represented by Beo Basket, currently plays in Ukraine) couldn't help Halychyna in their game against BC Donetsk in the Ukrainian Superleague, despite his very good performance in Sunday night's game.
He recorded 15 points (made all of his six free throws) in 20 minutes.
But his team was edged 83-81.
Vasiljevic has averaged so far 8.2ppg, 1.5rpg and 3.9apg in the 37 games.
He plays currently for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.
#12. International guard Nemanja Mitrovic (197-90, college: Portland, currently plays in Greece) couldn't help Kavala in their game against Ikaros in the Greek A1. Despite his very good performance in Saturday night's game Mitrovic was the top scorer with 17 points.
He has averaged so far 9.9ppg, 2.5rpg and 1.1apg.
Mitrovic is also in the roster of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.
#13. Former international forward Miralem Halilovic (205-91, currently plays in Croatia) contributed to a KK Zagreb's victory against the eighth-ranked Jolly 78-70 in the Croatian A1 last Sunday.
He scored 10 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 26 minutes.
Halilovic has averaged so far 5.7ppg, 2.3rpg and 1.2apg in the 11 games.
He used to play for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team
two years ago.
#14. International center Jusuf Nurkic (212-94, currently plays in Adriatic League) couldn't help one of league's weakest teams KK Zadar in their game against Szolnok in the Adriatic League. Despite his good performance last Sunday Nurkic recorded 11 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.
He has averaged so far 2.9ppg and 1.9rpg.
Despite Nurkic played previously for the Slovenian U16 national team, he is currently in the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team roster.
#15. International center Nedzad Sinanovic (221-83, currently plays in Spain) helped Blancos de Rueda win their game against the league outsider Assignia Manresa 86-73 in the Spanish ACB last Saturday.
Sinanovic recorded 10 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 23 minutes.
He has averaged so far 7.5ppg and 4.2rpg in the 24 games.
Sinanovic is also in the roster of 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, currently plays in Euroleague), who plays in Russia could not help Khimky (6-5) in their last game. Despite his good performance the fourth-placed Khimky was edged 80-79 on the road by the lower-ranked (#6) Maccabi T-A in the group F of Euroleague.
Planinic was the second best scorer with 13 points. He also added 9 assists in 37 minutes.
There are only three games left until the end of the Euroleague Top 16. So now every game will be critical.
Planinic is ranked second on the list of the best passers in the league with 6.4apg.
He also averaged so far 13.2ppg, 3.9rpg and 1.2spg in the 19 games he played so far.
Planinic has a dual citizenship: Croatian and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
#2.Alen Trepalovac (214-C-85, currently plays in Croatia) led Vrijednosnice OS to a victory against the fifth-ranked KK Zabok (7-11) 76-71 in the Croatian A1 on Saturday night.
He had a double-double by scoring 20 points and getting 19 rebounds. Trepalovac also added 2 blocks in 40 minutes.
Vrijednosnice OS Darda (10-8) is placed first in Places 9-14 group.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
The Regular Season already ended.
Trepalovac has relatively good stats this year: 10.4ppg and 7.1rpg in the nine games.
He is another player who holds two passports: Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatian.
Despite Trepalovac's Bosnia and Herzegovina nationality, he previously played for the Croatian U21 national team and is probably not eligible to play for the Bosnia and Herzegovina team.
#3.Stanko Barac (216-C-86, currently plays in Euroleague) contributed to a 3-point Anadolu Efes' victory against the eighth-ranked Brose Baskets Bamberg (0-11) 89-86 in the Euroleague in Thursday night's game.
Barac scored 8 points, grabbed 6 rebounds and made 3 blocks.
Anadolu Efes Istanbul (9-2) is placed first in group E.
There are only three games left until the end of the Euroleague Top 16. So now every game is very crucial.
This season Barac averages: 4.8ppg and 3.5rpg.
Similarly like Trepalovac and Planinic above he has both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatian nationalities.
#4.Dejan Cup (202-PF-83, currently plays in Cyprus) led Etha to a victory over the closely-ranked AEK (14-7) 74-67 in the Cypriot Division A on Thursday night.
Cup was MVP of the game. He scored 27 points (!!!) and grabbed 9 rebounds.
It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Michelin Etha Engomis Nicosia (16-5) is placed second in the Division A.
It was his team's fourth consecutive victory in a row.
Cup has relatively good stats this season: 12.0ppg, 5.5rpg and 1.5apg.
He also holds two passports: Serbian and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
#5.Marko Keselj (206-SF-88, agency: Beo Basket, currently plays in France) was not able to help one of league's weakest teams Le Mans (13-10) in their game against ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket (13-10) in the French ProA, despite his very good performance in Monday night's game.
Keselj was the second best scorer with 14 points. He also added 5 rebounds and 3 assists in 36 minutes.
But Le Mans lost 81-88 in Villeurbanne to the higher-ranked (#4) ASVEL Lyon- Basket.
Keselj has relatively good stats this year: 12.8ppg and 6.8rpg in the four games.
He has dual citizenship: Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbian.
#6.Mirza Begic (217-C-85, currently plays in Spain) contributed to a Real Madrid's victory against the closely-ranked Caja Laboral 100-92 in the Spanish ACB on Sunday night.
Begic scored 6 points in only 13 minutes.
This year Begic's overall stats are: 4.9ppg and 2.8rpg in the 25 games.
He has Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenian nationalities.
#7.Damir Markota (209-F-85, currently plays in Turkey) was not able to secure a victory for Besiktas in their game against Banvit BK in the Turkish TBL.
Markota scored 8 points, had 7 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 29 minutes.
His team lost 56-67.
This year Markota's overall stats are: 8.0ppg, 6.1rpg and 2.0apg in the 22 games.
He holds both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatian passports.
#8.Mirza Hrncic (203-F/C-86, currently plays in Croatia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Alen Trepalovac and both played together in the last Croatian A1 game.
Hrncic was the major contributor in a Vrijednosnice OS's victory against the fifth-ranked KK Zabok 76-71.
He scored 20 points.
Hrncic has relatively good stats this season: 11.4ppg, 4.9rpg and 1.2apg.
#9.Seid Hajric (203-F-83, currently plays in Poland) helped Anwil win their game against the third-ranked Stelmet ZG crushing them 90-59 in the Polish TBL in Wednesday night's game.
He recorded 12 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists in 25 minutes.
Hajric has relatively good stats this year: 11.1ppg and 5.9rpg in the 22 games.
He has dual citizenship: Bosnia and Herzegovina and Polish.
#10.Miroslav Todic (205-F-85, currently plays in EuroChallenge) couldn't help Khimik in their game against EWE Baskets in the EuroChallenge. Despite his good performance in Tuesday night's game Todic recorded 11 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.
Todic's total stats this season are: 9.7ppg, 8.7rpg and 2.3apg.
He has dual citizenship: Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbian.
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The criticism of Ognjen Kuzmic not warranted or deserved! - May 16, 2013
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.
Elvis Begic becomes an overnight sensation!
A video of Elvis Begic has made its way through the internet and Facebook has created quite the stirring sensation. In the video number 12 is seen head and shoulders above the competition, dribbling from the outside, blocking shots and knocking down long jumpers all over the court. It has made Begic the darling of the day and gives Bosnia two excellent high school prospect big men in Samir Sehic and now Elvis Begic [read more]
Elvis Begic becomes an overnight sensation! A video of Elvis Begic has made its way through the internet and Facebook has created quite the stirring sensation. In the video number 12 is seen head and shoulders above the competition, dribbling from the outside, blocking shots and knocking down long jumpers all over the court. It has made Begic the darling of the day and gives Bosnia two excellent high school prospect big men in Samir Sehic and now Elvis Begic. Elvis stands 210cm at only 15 years old being born in 1997. Some are projecting he could grow into 220-223cm in length. He does show a high skill level, however one needs to be cautious in watching internet videos of highlights. You can clearly see he isnt be challenged in his current setting and needs to take his game to another level if he is to become an elite level prospect. Still it gives Bosnia another potential option in the future for a team that already has a lot of options. The future is bright for BiH basketball and just became a bit brighter.
Siroki WWin and Igokea reach the Final series - May 15, 2013
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EUROBASKET NEWS
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Mladost - Siroki WWin 53-70 (0-2)
The game was mostly controlled by HKK Siroki WWin. Mladost managed to win second period 20-15. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They dominated on the defensive end, holding Mladost to just 6 points in first quarter. HKK Siroki WWin made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Croatian forward Zeljko Sakic (204-88, agency: Beo Basket) orchestrated the victory by scoring 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists [read more]
The game was mostly controlled by HKK Siroki WWin. Mladost managed to win second period 20-15. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They dominated on the defensive end, holding Mladost to just 6 points in first quarter. HKK Siroki WWin made 20-of-25 free shots (80.0 percent) during the game. Croatian forward Zeljko Sakic (204-88, agency: Beo Basket) orchestrated the victory by scoring 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Naturalized Croatian Ivan Ramljak (203-90) contributed with 13 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Four HKK Siroki WWin players scored in double figures. Montenegrin power forward Igor Bijelic (207-88) replied with 15 points and 6 rebounds and point guard Drasko Knezevic (185-93) added 12 points in the effort for Mladost. Top scorers: Mladost: I.Bijelic 15+6reb, D.Knezevic 12+1reb+2ast, P.Ivanic 10+1reb+1ast, N.Milosevic 5+2reb, D.Stojkanovic 5+2reb, M.Kezic 4+1reb+2ast Siroki WWin: Z.Sakic 16+6reb+4ast, M.Sutalo 14+2reb+3ast, I.Ramljak 13+7reb+2ast, B.Barac 13+5reb+1ast, J.Jones 8+1reb+2ast, K.Vragovic 3+1reb
Igokea dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Bosna ASA BHT's 32. Igokea forced 24 Bosna ASA BHT turnovers. Croatian guard Sinisa Stemberger (195-79) scored 17 points to lead the charge for the winners and forward Aleksandar Radukic (206-91) chipped in 11 points during the contest. Four Igokea players scored in double figures. Power forward Nermin Buza (206-91) responded with 19 points and 6 rebounds (on 8-of-9 shooting from the field) and swingman Sindis Demic (192-83) scored 18 points. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Top scorers: Bosna: N.Buza 19+6reb+2ast, S.Demic 18+4reb+2ast, R.Rizvic 7+1reb+3ast, S.Leric 6+4reb+2ast, M.Vukovic 4+1reb+1ast, D.Hodzic 3+5reb+3ast Igokea: S.Stemberger 17+3reb+1ast, Z.Kljestan 13+2reb, N.Sulovic 12+2reb+1ast, A.Radukic 11+3reb+1ast, M.Bocka 8+1reb+5ast, F.Adamovic 6+2reb+4ast
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