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Site Updated: 4.22.05 -- Articles | Tiebreakers Determined | International Report: Croatia Part II
Next Update: 4.23.05 -- Articles


International Report: Croatia Part II



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By Marjan Crnogaj
4/22/05

Aleksandar Ugrinoski (KK Cibona/KK Dubrava), 6'4" point guard



Aleksandar Ugrinoski

At just 17 years of age, Ugrinoski is one of the most exciting European talents at the guard position. He is originally from Macedonia, his father was a playground legend there. He was discovered by Ante Vlasic, chief of Cibona's scouting, during a basketball camp on the island of Vis. He immediately impressed everybody, and at just 15 years of age he made his way to Cibona's senior team (featuring Scoonie Penn).

Due to the depth of Cibona's backcourt he was transferred to Cibona's minor league team - BC Dubrava. This season he hasn't played well since he's been struggling to keep his team in the 1st Croatian league. In decisive games he has shown maturity, controlling the tempo of the games with his orchestrating style of play.

He's a very good ballhandler who likes to penetrate right, especially off the pick. He plays with a high energy level, and is very competitive and aggressive. He's also extremely fast, and precise, but he needs to work on his strength and shooting, and he's very aware of that. His favorite NBA player is Jason Kidd. It is unfair to give him too much hype right now, especially since he has not accomplished anything on the senior level. But he is for sure one of the promising hopes for the future of Croatian basketball.

Defense:

- fights through screens well
- plays high-pressure full court defense
- moves well in help-defense

Offense:

- demands the ball/calls the plays, doesn't hesitate using his voice to communicate with his teammates
- hits open shots/free throws
- sometimes late on seeing open teammates when opposing team sets zone defense
- sets good back screens
- nice runner/floater
- uses picks well
- likes to finish with right hand on left drive, should use his left hand more frequently
- should develop his off the dribble shooting ability

NBA Comparison: Cross-overs resemble Tony Parker. Needs to work more on shooting and passing skills. Nice defensive footwork and court sense.

Damjan Rudez (Oostende, Belgium), 6'9" small forward

Rudez is the biggest Croatian prospect at the small forward position. He started playing at 8 years old, initiated by the performance of his older brother Ivan, who was a well known playground legend in Zagreb, Croatia. Damjan soon became the best player in his category, as well on his team (Zrinjevac), and the national team.

Even though he likes to play close to the basket, he has enough ball handling skills to be used as a 'tall' guard. He tried some of that while preparing with the Croatian junior national team in the summer of 2003. He hopes to develop furthermore, to become an even more versatile player. He is playing a limited number of minutes right now in Belgium, and showing flashes of greatness here and there. His team is very aware of his potential, but he'll likely try to move to Italy or Spain soon. He had numerous offers from those countries before leaving for the Benelux. Here are a a couple of things that he has and what he needs to work on:

Defensive:
- dominant and aggressive rebounder, both defensively and offensively

Offensive:
- has developed low post moves and nice mid-range jumper
- reportedly trained low post moves with ball kicked to him by foot
- very soft hands, catches everything
- although he is very good mid-range shooter, he needs to work more on his outside shoot

NBA Comparison: his game resembles Kevin Garnet's (by European standards), but it seems that going to play in Belgium wasn't a good decision for his career. Legendary coach Bogdan Tanjevic (Italy) compared him to Toni Kukoc, and he thinks that Damjan is a natural point-forward. He likes his 7'1'' wingspan, big hands, low balance, and the way he plays bigger than he is on the court. He thinks that he has unique blend of skills, excellent court sense, and a real feel for the game.

Notes: He's related to the tallest player (7'2'') of 1st Croatian League, Marijan Pojatina (played at Furman, NCAAII). His older brother Ivan is listed as his first idol, then followed by Michael Jordan and Gordan Giricek. He enjoys watching Dirk Nowitzki, with Dallas being his favorite team.

Ante Tomic (KK Zagreb), 7'2'' center/power forward

Has a shot to be the best of all the upcoming Croatian prospects, 7'2'' tall Ante Tomic came to BC Zagreb from the well-known Adriatic city of Dubrovnik. Reportedly he played point guard in younger selections, then he grew about 8-9 inches in less than two years. Now, he has a point guard mentality in a wiry frame, and in order to succeed he'll need to adjust his mental sense for the game. It looks like he's on his way to do it right. Here are a few notes on what he has and what he needs to work on:

Defense:
- he is ready to 'switch' to faster and smaller opposing players in 5-on-5
- needs to work more on his rebounding positioning

Offense:
- nice interior passer, reads the game well, runs the floor well
- he grew up too fast, so he lost a little bit of his handling skills in the process
- needs to work more on his mid-range jumper, low-post moves

He reacted very well to increased minutes in the Adriatic League matches recently. His play at center/power-forward surprised many scouts that came to Trnsko to see Marko Tomas play. He sets nice picks, battles for position underneath even when overpowered by his opponent, goes for the occasional lay up or dunk, cleans the defensive glass well and could become an effective offensive rebounder as well. Everyone in BC Zagreb is excited to have the opportunity to play with him, and to see him develop his game. Even his teammates from the national team (Ugrinoski) are looking forward to playing with him this summer.

NBA comparison: In a couple of years he could become new Pau Gasol. When asked, his national team teammate Ugrinoski compares him with Yao Ming (by European standards). He needs to bulk up, and work on his defensive positioning and low post moves. He could possibly become more than a decent shooter when he strengthens up his upper body, and especially his arms.

Damir Markota (KK Cibona), 6'10" small forward

Changed his last name from Omerhodžic to Markota (his mother's maiden name) prior to this season. Used sparingly with limited minutes in both the Euroleague and Adriatic league this season. A good rebounder, and shot blocker. He's a very good shooter with range, when he gets on a streak.

Needs to work on his ball handling, interior passing and defensive positioning. He also has to raise his level of aggressiveness on the floor, sometimes he completely disappears. Rumor has it that he broke 3 backboards during Cibona's scrimmages this season. His potential is good, but his work ethic is questionable. He came to Croatia from Sweden where he lived and played with Maciej Lampe. He needs to come alive offensively, and get more confortable with the ball; hopefully that will come with more playing time.


Other players worth mentioning (most likely prospects for Europe):

Marko Banic (KK Zadar), 6'8" power forward

Typical modern power forward, understands the game, moves well, can hit the perimeter shoot or jump hook with his soft hands. Likes to roll off the screen. He's a regular 'double-double' guy. Mark Cuban reportedly 'fell in love' with this guy, while seeing him play 2 summers ago in Dallas.

Andrija Rozic (KK Cibona), 6'7'' small forward

Possibly the biggest hustler among small forwards in Croatian basketball today. He can successfully guard 1-4 positions, great off-ball and on-ball defender, hustles for loose balls. An excellent offensive rebounder. He doesn't mind sacrificing his body. In transition, he's very fast and explosive, and can hit three pointers when open. He needs to work on launching his shot off the dribble. He's a team-first type of guy, with all the tools to become an excellent small forward in Europe. He has played power-forward in junior categories (KK Zrinjevac). He is a good
defensive player and plays with great effort but he is too limited offensively.


NBA comparison: Gordan Giricek, but not that potent offensively, and with a special knack for hustling.

Andrija Radan (KK Split), 6'10'' power forward

Completely 'off -the-radar' but a couple of scouts saw the lanky 6'10'' power-forward entering the final quarter of the game vs. Cibona, when he scored 9 points in about 5 minutes, creating total havoc in Cibona's defense with his nice finishes on 'screen & rolls'. Very nice touch around the basket, decent rebounder, needs to put some weight on.

Alen Trepalovac (KK Dubrava), 7'1'' center

An intriguing physical prospect who understands the game well, but lacks great athleticism, and low-post moves. He can notch a "double-double" in any game against weaker competition. He's Ugrinoski's teammate and does a good job of setting picks on high 'pick & rolls'.

Ivan Papac (KK Zagreb), 6'9'' small forward

Another talent from BC Zagreb, a lanky and wiry swingman. He has a nice touch, especially from the wing, and he doesn't miss free throws. Runs the floor well, a nice interior passer for his size but needs to bulk up in order to create more post-up opportunities for his team. He could become an excellent point-forward, even on an international level.

Filip Kruslin (KK Cibona), 6'6'' guard

Probably the biggest Croatian talent currently 'under the radar'. He's a complete player considering his age (16), he understands the game well, and has all the skills combined with athletic ability. He could possibly become the best Croatian combo-guard in a few years.


Marjan Crnogaj

Zagreb, Croatia