Serbian High School Players in US

[syracuse 442]

Petar Rusic

Petar Rusic

Now this kid PETAR RUSIC is somebody who will soon be familiar to everyone , he is 6' 4" plays at Loyola High School in Oakville ,Ontario and is going to FINDLAY PREP in Las Vegas in Sept where he will be the starting two guard on the best high school team in the USA last 3 years , Petar is a tremendous scorer , great first step and has had 7 games in his young career with over 10 three point baskets made , is the best 16 year old in Canada after Andrew Wiggins, SYRACUSE, UNLV ,FLORIDA, KENTUCKY and UNC are already lining up to recruit him heavy , he is soph in high school.

 

[serbianhoops2]

Miroslav Jaksic

Miroslav Jaksic

Belgrade native Miroslav Jaksic (PF 6'10 '95) is also an intriguing prospect. He is right now one of the best inside player in the class of 2014 in Canada. He played for Canada U16 at the FIBA U16 Americas championship and had 9 points and 8 rebounds against USA U16 in only 13 minutes. He is a NCAA high D1 prospect.

 

[serbianhoops2]

Now this kid PETAR RUSIC is somebody who will soon be familiar to everyone , he is 6' 4" plays at Loyola High School in Oakville ,Ontario and is going to FINDLAY PREP in Las Vegas in Sept where he will be the starting two guard on the best high school team in the USA last 3 years , Petar is a tremendous scorer , great first step and has had 7 games in his young career with over 10 three point baskets made , is the best 16 year old in Canada after Andrew Wiggins, SYRACUSE, UNLV ,FLORIDA, KENTUCKY and UNC are already lining up to recruit him heavy , he is soph in high school.

Two year ago, Rusic was a pure shooter who was a real nightmare for opponents when he was on fire because he was able to strecht the defense with a seemingly unlimited rang. At the time he had to improve his dribble-drive penetration and his shoot selection. It seems he improved very well.

 

[syracuse 442]

jaksic , duric , rusic

jaksic , duric , rusic

I live in Burlington ,Ont. and watch high school hoops extensively so I am familiar with these underclassman of Serbian decent in Ontario and I think these 3 will represent team Canada senior men's team one day , I know coach Leo Rautins personally and he is aware of all three , especially Rusic and Jaksic ! I am wondering how you guys are aware of them when it appears to me you guys reside in Serbia ,please explain if in fact you have seen them play in person or you just heard about their respective success . Another kid from Hamilton ,Ont to pay attention to is Nikola Djogo he is only in grade 8 but has outstanding skills , lightening quick and as a Serb can naturally drill it from deep !

 

[syracuse 442]

stefan duric

stefan duric

I know Stefan Duric is going to Serbia after the Las vegas BIG TIME tourney AAU U16 in late July , he will be at Dejan Bodiroga's camp in Trebinje for 2 weeks and one week in Zlatibor, in August so maybe somebody from KSS will notice him there.

 

[syracuse 442]

young Serbs who want to come to USA

young Serbs who want to come to USA

I am wondering if super talents like DUSAN RISTIC 1995, 6'9" who is with FMP in Belgrade would consider coming to USA to finish high school because if he did make such a decision I feel he would become one of top 5 players in his senior year and therefore a McDonald's all american -heavily recruited by all the top NCAA schools, be a ONE and DONE college player and as a result be in the NBA when he reaches 19 yrs , by staying in europe no chance of that happening so early maybe by 22 yrs, so think about how much money they lose, it could be several million dollars. Players like Djordje Kaplanovic and Vasilije Micic , Aleksandar Cvetkovic really should think about this option if the NBA is their goal. I know big time Serbian basketball agents like Misko Raznatovic are totally allergic and against such moves by the very elite top 5 type talents because selfishly they think once they go to america that is the end of their contact with such future talents , that does not have to be the case. I know I am in the agent business . More important than the desires of agents is the careers of the players - In saying this who out there knows some exceptionally talented players in Serbia who are interested in the USA path ages 15-17 , please feel free to list them

 

[syracuse 442]

young serbs to usa continued

young serbs to usa continued

There are many cases of Serbian kids going to USA but these so far have been the ones who really have not been successful in making their respective age group national teams over there and so in order to continue playing they intelligently come here in the hopes of pursuing an education through basketball, there has yet to be one of the SUPER talents to actually decide the high school route. As an example of the power in making this choice the Turkish player ENIS KANTER who as an 18 yr old ( too late ) did come to america to play one year at Stonebridge Prep in California, and then competed in the NIKE HOOP SUMMIT game for international squad- was excellent and NBA scouts noticed him instantly , he was recruited by every major D1 program, chose KENTUCKY however he was unfortunately ruled ineligible to play because his home country club team presented some fake contracts so as to hurt his amateur status , if he was here at age 17 then no such problems, BUT anyway his time and practice at Kentucky ELEVATED him to a number 3 pick in this past June's NBA draft - this never would have happened for him so early if he did not take this path and NOW he is a multi millionaire NBA rookie at age 19 ( 3 years 12.4 million rookie contract ). I know there are every year in Serbia 2-3 Enis Kanter type of kids who are being misinformed about this opportunity so please feel free to advertise them on this site , they deserve to expand their options !!

 

[Danilovic52]

We would have a better chance of getting these players if we had a capable basketball federation, but unfortunately at this time we do not.

The only problem with going to the NCAA is that it's really far away from home and they would not be getting paid, remember most of these kids are not from rich families and need to help their parents,brothers,sisters.

 

[serbianhoops2]

I live in Burlington ,Ont. and watch high school hoops extensively so I am familiar with these underclassman of Serbian decent in Ontario and I think these 3 will represent team Canada senior men's team one day, I know coach Leo Rautins personally and he is aware of all three, especially Rusic and Jaksic ! I'am wondering how you guys are aware of them when it appears to me you guys reside in Serbia ,please explain if in fact you have seen them play in person or you just heard about their respective success. Another kid from Hamilton ,Ont to pay attention to is Nikola Djogo he is only in grade 8 but has outstanding skills , lightening quick and as a Serb can naturally drill it from deep !

I like to waste my time and to travel. I already saw several serbian/canadian high school prospects live such as Dejan Kravic(during his Westminster senior year), Stefan Cvrkalj (during his Bluevale junior year), Stefan Nastic (at the 2008 U16 European Championship), Stefan Jankovic (with Toronto Hoop Factory Elite at the 2009 Victor Rho Tournament) & Luka Petkovic (with British Columbia at the 2010 U15 nationals).

I know Stefan Duric is going to Serbia after the Las vegas BIG TIME tourney AAU U16 in late July , he will be at Dejan Bodiroga's camp in Trebinje for 2 weeks and one week in Zlatibor, in August so maybe somebody from KSS will notice him there.

The serbian '96 generation is far weaker than the '95 one, so he maybe have a chance to be noticed. Moreover, Dejan Bodiroga is now working for Serbian Basketball Federation (he is now in charge of youth national teams). But the matter of concern is that all prospects from Canada aren't showing interest to play for Serbia except Stefan Nastic.

I am wondering if super talents like DUSAN RISTIC 1995, 6'9" who is with FMP in Belgrade would consider coming to USA to finish high school because if he did make such a decision I feel he would become one of top 5 players in his senior year and therefore a McDonald's all american -heavily recruited by all the top NCAA schools, be a ONE and DONE college player and as a result be in the NBA when he reaches 19 yrs , by staying in europe no chance of that happening so early maybe by 22 yrs, so think about how much money they lose, it could be several million dollars. Players like Djordje Kaplanovic and Vasilije Micic , Aleksandar Cvetkovic really should think about this option if the NBA is their goal. I know big time Serbian basketball agents like Misko Raznatovic are totally allergic and against such moves by the very elite top 5 type talents because selfishly they think once they go to america that is the end of their contact with such future talents , that does not have to be the case. I know I am in the agent business . More important than the desires of agents is the careers of the players - In saying this who out there knows some exceptionally talented players in Serbia who are interested in the USA path ages 15-17 , please feel free to list them

I know dozens of them and I really hope they won't go to US. Moreover, I consider basketball agents to be modern days slave seller.

There are many cases of Serbian kids going to USA but these so far have been the ones who really have not been successful in making their respective age group national teams over there and so in order to continue playing they intelligently come here in the hopes of pursuing an education through basketball, there has yet to be one of the SUPER talents to actually decide the high school route. As an example of the power in making this choice the Turkish player ENIS KANTER who as an 18 yr old ( too late ) did come to america to play one year at Stonebridge Prep in California, and then competed in the NIKE HOOP SUMMIT game for international squad- was excellent and NBA scouts noticed him instantly , he was recruited by every major D1 program, chose KENTUCKY however he was unfortunately ruled ineligible to play because his home country club team presented some fake contracts so as to hurt his amateur status , if he was here at age 17 then no such problems, BUT anyway his time and practice at Kentucky ELEVATED him to a number 3 pick in this past June's NBA draft - this never would have happened for him so early if he did not take this path and NOW he is a multi millionaire NBA rookie at age 19 ( 3 years 12.4 million rookie contract ). I know there are every year in Serbia 2-3 Enis Kanter type of kids who are being misinformed about this opportunity so please feel free to advertise them on this site , they deserve to expand their options !!

We don't have a single Enes Kanter. The guy is a big time talent (with height, weight, athelticism, footwork, range and skills).

 

[serbianhoops2]

L

L

Luka Petkovic (PG 6'1 '95 Handsworth, Vancouver) class of 2013.

 

[syracuse 442]

serbianhoops - what is up with you ?

serbianhoops - what is up with you ?

When you say that you wish the kids do not leave Serbia to come to the States for high school and college WHY EXACTLY ? , last I checked the NBA does not have any teams in Belgrade and if the statistics don't convince you what else could and so here is something for you the NBA has about 70 new players each season 30 first round picks , 30 second round picks and 10 undrafted free agents , out of that 70 - 63 of them played major NCAA D1 basketball and 7 were international so mathematically if the NBA were the final destination where do the STATS point a kid to choose , please don't be so naive . They can still represent their country during summer period at their respective age groups and , and if you are talking about negative influence that agents have on these guys , then my friend you should wake the @^%#$&% up because I assure you in places like Serbia the agents are on these kids from age 14 , whereas in the USA any contact with a minor is illegal criminally until they reach 18 yrs , so your sweeping statement that the Serbian elite talents should stay in Serbia is poorly stated . So really how do you know all these kids out of Canada , do you live here , what's the deal dude , the travel thing didn't wash with me , anyway keep at it !!

 

[syracuse 442]

mr danilovic

mr danilovic

The kids would be on a full scholarship , which also means their airfare would be taken care of but if you are talking about how difficult it is economically for people in Serbia , then it is PRECISELY for that reason that they should come here and reach the NBA sooner rather than later because as I said if they stay there they will not become NBA players by the time they are 22-24 , Valanciunas was drafted by the Raptors at #5 pick at age 19 , BUT BUT BUT his club still has rights for another 3 yrs and they want big money for a BYOUT but the NBA club can only pay 500,000 $ that is nothing compared to what for example Zalgiris can get for him from Real Madrid so there is no way he will play this season or next season and he is a talent , if he had come to USA last year he would have been the number ONE pick and able to play so europe is great but it not great for the elite talented top 5 players , europe coaches teach better fundamentals for sure at a young age , but now is the time for these great ones to come to america and be the next Dirk Nowitzkis and college is the answer !!

 

[syracuse 442]

parents letting go

parents letting go

That argument is the one that holds water to me , the most difficult thing for the kids is the separation from family usually more difficult for the parents then the kids I understand that , but that is the trade off and sacrifice each family must decide , success has a price !!

 

[serbianhoops2]

When you say that you wish the kids do not leave Serbia to come to the States for high school and college WHY EXACTLY ? , last I checked the NBA does not have any teams in Belgrade and if the statistics don't convince you what else could and so here is something for you the NBA has about 70 new players each season 30 first round picks , 30 second round picks and 10 undrafted free agents , out of that 70 - 63 of them played major NCAA D1 basketball and 7 were international so mathematically if the NBA were the final destination where do the STATS point a kid to choose , please don't be so naive . They can still represent their country during summer period at their respective age groups and , and if you are talking about negative influence that agents have on these guys , then my friend you should wake the @^%#$&% up because I assure you in places like Serbia the agents are on these kids from age 14 , whereas in the USA any contact with a minor is illegal criminally until they reach 18 yrs , so your sweeping statement that the Serbian elite talents should stay in Serbia is poorly stated . So really how do you know all these kids out of Canada , do you live here , what's the deal dude , the travel thing didn't wash with me , anyway keep at it !!

Because, I know with whom most of them are working. It's far better for FMP kids to works individually with Milovan Bulatovic or Hemofarm kids to work with Zarko Vucurovic than with an average US high school coach.

Because the schoolar issue will prevent many of them to pass SAT, TOEFL test and to go to NCAA.

Do you really think that I don't know how M. Gomina and other agents in Serbia are working ? They even contact younger players. But it's like that in all Europe.

Nobody forces you to believe me. You're from Burlington, you should know that the serbian community in Ontario is very large (especially in Hamilton, Kitchener or Waterloo areas), so I maybe have good reasons to go there very often.

 

[Srle2]

I am wondering if super talents like DUSAN RISTIC 1995, 6'9" who is with FMP in Belgrade would consider coming to USA to finish high school because if he did make such a decision I feel he would become one of top 5 players in his senior year and therefore a McDonald's all american -heavily recruited by all the top NCAA schools, be a ONE and DONE college player and as a result be in the NBA when he reaches 19 yrs , by staying in europe no chance of that happening so early maybe by 22 yrs, so think about how much money they lose, it could be several million dollars. Players like Djordje Kaplanovic and Vasilije Micic , Aleksandar Cvetkovic really should think about this option if the NBA is their goal. I know big time Serbian basketball agents like Misko Raznatovic are totally allergic and against such moves by the very elite top 5 type talents because selfishly they think once they go to america that is the end of their contact with such future talents , that does not have to be the case. I know I am in the agent business . More important than the desires of agents is the careers of the players - In saying this who out there knows some exceptionally talented players in Serbia who are interested in the USA path ages 15-17 , please feel free to list them

They are already members of the professional clubs in Serbia they are not qualified to play college ball. Name me one Serbian player who made great professional career playing college ball in North America??? There is a much bigger chance for those kids to get to the NBA or to some big European Leagues by them playing in their domestic leagues .There is a less competition in Europe than in North America where millions and millions of kids playing school basketball. Nikola Dragovic is a great example for the talented Serbian kids to not FOLLOW same the rout he had.

 

[Danilovic52]

I agree 100% with serbianhoops on the coaching thing, when these Serbian kids from Canada are considering who to play for they should keep in mind that they would learn a lot more from Serbian junior team coaches than unqualified Canadian ones, their game would benefit more from playing for us.

Which Serbian players have played college and made it to the NBA? Radojevic is the only one I can think of and his career didn't go very well....

 

[syracuse 442]

why young serbs should come to USA

why young serbs should come to USA

OK Serle and Danilovic sadly you are misinformed, Nikola Dragovic as an example was NOT nearly an elite type prospect in Serbia when he was young in fact he was like cut from age 15 and 16 age group regional teams while in Serbia. Now as to the comment about the academic standards being to rigid for Serbs to become eligible , I will just say that inner city kids from Detroit, Chicago ,New York or LA , if those kids can qualify so can the serbians. That is a rediculous assertion . The biggest reason I cannot come up with a particular serbian who went from Serbia to a US high school and then became a successful NBA prospect because there has NEVER NEVER BEEN ONE ELITE kid with big time talent that has YET decided to take this path , but I can sight a number that are not serbian who have done exactly that - HAKEEM OLAJUWAN ,DIRK NOWITZKI , NICOLAS BATUM or TONY PARKER , maybe you have never heard of these guys but they kind did OK in the NBA , so YES YES if the best come just like in any other field or endeavour these guys will become great because they are just that good that they would excel in this very very competitive environment , my point gentlemen is that these isolated super young talents perhaps only 2-3 per year would achieve all the success that I am suggesting and the key point in my entire argument is that they would get to the NBA by 19 - 20 latest versus staying in europe and having that chance by the time they are in their mid twenties , it is MILLIONS of dollars lost to them , what I agree with is that the coaching of fundamentals in their formative young years is superior to the US high school system but the natural elite talents usually compensate and excel in whatever environment they are in and the USA system is a fastrack to the NBA , there is no discussion to challenge the merits of that !!

 

[serbianhoops2]

OK Serle and Danilovic sadly you are misinformed, Nikola Dragovic as an example was NOT nearly an elite type prospect in Serbia when he was young in fact he was like cut from age 15 and 16 age group regional teams while in Serbia. Now as to the comment about the academic standards being to rigid for Serbs to become eligible , I will just say that inner city kids from Detroit, Chicago ,New York or LA , if those kids can qualify so can the serbians. That is a rediculous assertion . The biggest reason I cannot come up with a particular serbian who went from Serbia to a US high school and then became a successful NBA prospect because there has NEVER NEVER BEEN ONE ELITE kid with big time talent that has YET decided to take this path , but I can sight a number that are not serbian who have done exactly that - HAKEEM OLAJUWAN ,DIRK NOWITZKI , NICOLAS BATUM or TONY PARKER , maybe you have never heard of these guys but they kind did OK in the NBA , so YES YES if the best come just like in any other field or endeavour these guys will become great because they are just that good that they would excel in this very very competitive environment , my point gentlemen is that these isolated super young talents perhaps only 2-3 per year would achieve all the success that I am suggesting and the key point in my entire argument is that they would get to the NBA by 19 - 20 latest versus staying in europe and having that chance by the time they are in their mid twenties , it is MILLIONS of dollars lost to them , what I agree with is that the coaching of fundamentals in their formative young years is superior to the US high school system but the natural elite talents usually compensate and excel in whatever environment they are in and the USA system is a fastrack to the NBA , there is no discussion to challenge the merits of that !!

You kidding, Dragovic was considered to be one of the top prospects of the '87 generation. He was the younger player of the U16 NT squad and before moving to UCLA, he had a 2 very good seasons with Mega Ishrana. Moreover, he played SF at the time. Then he joined UCLA, sit out one year then he played PF and mostly fucked up his career.

You should listen Cvetkovic speak english and you'll understand.

Tell me when Batum, Parker or Nowitzki played for US high schools ? All 3 went directly to NBA from their European teams.

Milicic went to NBA at 18, he didn 't lost his early MILLIONS but became half of the player he could have been and never signed a NBA superstar contract.

 

[ballislyfe232]

I follow basketball here in Canada and I travel to Europe a lot to see players...


Filip Music is in the class of 2013. This guy is your perfect point guard...he has great court vision, great ball handling and is a good shooter as well. He has great skills and has a high basketball IQ. He will be a name everybody will be familiar with soon. I believe he was born in Serbia but he lived his whole life in Toronto. As I seen on Twitter from Filip and some other scouts who tweeted this, he will be going to some school called SportsQuest Academy in Virginia I believe. He will be a great player.

Another guy is Stefan Jankovic. He is a player that is pretty known and Im sure everybody here knows who he is. He is 6'10 and his versatility is what makes him special. He can post up and the best part of his game is his shooting. He has a lethal 3 point shot. He also has good speed for his height and has a good handle. He can also play on the perimeter and break you down. He played in the u19 FIBA's and he actually dunked on Jonas Valanciunas who was the Raptors 5th pick in the draft. He goes to Huntington Prep.

Petar Rusic is a great shooter. He is not going to Findlay Prep and he does not have all those schools which was mentioned.He is nowhere close to being the 2nd best player for his age in Canada, he is a pretty good player however but dont boost guys^. He plays shooting guard and needs to work on his ball skills. He is a smart player and doesnt force anything but can kill a zone with his 3 point shooting. He needs to work on his handle, and his ability to attack the basket. I dont think he is going to prep school in the U.S. but he was injured this year for a long time and that is what held him back. He is back from injury and is playing well for GrassRoots on the AAU circuit. Not sure where what school he will be going to, I think he is staying at Loyola in Oakville. He will be a solid player at the next level.

These are 3 serbian players which I have been following a lot through the last few years...

 

[syracuse 442]

Rusic,Petar

Rusic,Petar

Srle not sure where your info comes from but RUSIC is currently playing for Grassroots AAU and is in fact playing exceptionally well for them in Las Vegas as I write , further , yes he is going FINDLAY PREP , Michael Peck who Findlay's head coach confirmed this to me after he had finally watched Petar last two days and administrative matters have been completed yesterday . You are absolutely correct in that Petar needs to shore up his game ( handles) , and this season at Findlay he will be a role player, however they are on a two year plan with each of their featured guys so next year he will be a big time national recruit - you will see and again Rusic has fielded legit interest from the schools I have sighted, he has the repeated personalized letters direct from head coaches to prove it !!!