The Croatian sharp shooter helped KK Zagreb Croatia Osiguranje have a good year in their first ever Euroleague experience and chipped in 6.1ppg mostly from beyond the arc to make things easier for quality big men such as Kasun, Markota, May and Heytvelt. Damir Rancic (199-G-83) has things to say regarding his basketball career and future plans.
You had a stint in the Euroleague with Cibona earlier and last year got back to the competition with KK Zagreb Croatia Osiguranje. Would you call it a successful season for Zagreb side?
Like you said my first experience with Euroleague was in Cibona 2006 and it was a success last year. It was a debut in Euroleauge for KK Zagreb Croatia Osiguranje and I think the season was ok. We started group with a couple of big losses but in the second part of the group we started to play better and until the last game we had a chance to go into Top 16 but we lost the last game against Zalgiris and said goodbye to Euroleauge.
Compare to your previous Euroleague experience what do you think of the last year?
The Euroleague is obviously getting bigger and tougher every year. Yes i think that euroleauge is getting better and tougher every year.. Its getting more physical and stronger day by day. In terms of organization Euroleague is one of the best sports events ever done.
Croatian basketball is producing a lot of talent everyday but it seems like people are expecting better success from the national team that you have been a part of as well?
That is true... We have so much young talents and gold medals in youth categories but nobody knows what the problem is with the senior team.. We lost 3 or 4 times in a row in quarter finals starting from Belgrade 2005 where I also participated in.
Mostly youre listed as a guard but do you think you are more of a shooting guard or else a small forward and on the floor positions matter as much as many believe?
My natural position is the shooting guard butIi can also play at small forward because I am 1.99 cm tall, but my trademark is getting out of the screens and shooting with a high percentage..
People know you as a true shooter. Your 3 point percentage has always been high and its said shooting is an instinct?
Yes that is my best thing and people know me through that... I think it is an instinct but also reqiures lots of hard work.
Like many other free agents you seem to be waiting for the right offer since you didnt agree terms with any club yet. Any progress going on with your negotiations?
Everybody knows the situation and the market is bad this year. Many teams lowered the budgets and also have problem with paying on time so I decided to wait for the right offer because I want to be on a team where I can give my best. So far in this season I havent found what Im looking for but I know it will be coming soon..
How does it feel to be professional athlete whos always at the practice or on the road for the games? Do you manage to save enough time for yourself and what do you do on your spare time?
Many players start to practice regularly in a very young age and that kind of life is in their blood... I like basketball and that kind of living so I don't have any problem with having no time for other things. I usually read books or play video games or go fishing in summer time just to get rid of the stress of basketball life.
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Eurobasket.com All-Euroleague Awards 2013 - May 16, 2013
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Finals MVP: Vassilis Spanoulis (193-G-82) of Olympiacos; Player of the Year: Vassilis Spanoulis (193-G-82) of Olympiacos; Guard of the Year: Vassilis Spanoulis (193-G-82) of Olympiacos; Forward of the Year: Rudy Fernandez (198-SF-85) of Real Madrid; Center of the Year: Nenad Krstic (212-C-83) of CSKA; European Player of the Year: Vassilis Spanoulis (193-G-82) of Olympiacos; Import of the Year: Shawn James (207-C-83) of Maccabi T-A; Defensive Player of the Year: Shawn James (207-C-83) of Maccabi [read more]
32-year old USA ex-international guard Marcus Banks (188-81, college: UNLV) left Panathinaikos Athens (A1). In 14 games he had 6.4ppg and 1.7rpg this season. He helped them to win the cup. Banks also played 21 games in Euroleague where he recorded 5.7ppg, 1.3rpg and 1.4apg. He contributed to his team making it to the quarterfinals.
The last season Banks was tested by Idaho Stampede in D-League. In 19 games he recorded very impressive stats: 17.9ppg, 1 [read more]
32-year old USA ex-international guard Marcus Banks (188-81, college: UNLV) left Panathinaikos Athens (A1). In 14 games he had 6.4ppg and 1.7rpg this season. He helped them to win the cup. Banks also played 21 games in Euroleague where he recorded 5.7ppg, 1.3rpg and 1.4apg. He contributed to his team making it to the quarterfinals. The last season Banks was tested by Idaho Stampede in D-League. In 19 games he recorded very impressive stats: 17.9ppg, 1.7rpg, 5.0apg and 1.2spg.
He ended the previous (10-11) season at the Hornets in NBA. But the most of that year Banks spent at the Raptors in NBA. In three games he recorded just 2.0ppg and 1.0apg. In 2003 he was drafted by Adirondack Wildcats (USBL) in eighth round (73rd overall). The former University of Nevada - Las Vegas standoutis in his tenth season in pro basketball. He was a member of USA Senior National Team back in 2001. Banks has played previously for five other NBA teams: Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors and Minnesota Timberwolves. On Banks:
Strong body and good scorer but inconsistent shooter and true height is a concern. Has tremendous speed and quickness, and good passing skills, but is too much up-and-down performing to earn a starting spot at NBA level. Needs also to learn to play a slow-tempo game.
It seems that the next months will be crucial for all players and Coaches in Greece as it is expected a great moove towards foreign lands for most of the players and coaches. So after the great transfer of the Greek international Loukas Mavrokefalidis (207-C-84) to Regal FC Barcelona, some more transfers took place while the transfer of the Greek Coaches is begginign to become more often than ever [read more]
It seems that the next months will be crucial for all players and Coaches in Greece as it is expected a great moove towards foreign lands for most of the players and coaches. So after the great transfer of the Greek international Loukas Mavrokefalidis (207-C-84) to Regal FC Barcelona, some more transfers took place while the transfer of the Greek Coaches is begginign to become more often than ever.
In regards to the Coaching positions we had Coach Vangelis Alexandris and Coach Ioannis Livanos to sign a contract with the Jordan National Team to lead the team to the Asian Games this summer. Their contract is for three months only but with the possibility to renew it if the results are there for the two Greek coaches.
Another Head Coach left Greece (and Cyprus leagues) for the Mexican one, as Coach Chris Chougaz agreed financial terms with the Mexican Correcaminos UAT Victoria.
Finally, the Greek guard Spyros Magounis (200-G-85, agency: FCM) agreed financial terms with Sigma Barcellona untill the end of the season.
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