"Miro Could Be Best Player from Windsor Ever"
On July 4th 2010 Miroslav Jaksic was 6’6 and weighed less then 160 pounds. Today, just a little over a year at Jamie Stewart’s Elite Basketball Training Academy in Windsor Canada. Miro is 6’10 with shoes on, and his weight is up to 185 pounds. “Tremendously.” Miro said when asked about his improvement since working with Coach Stewart. “I didn’t play a lot and I wanted to get better, since working with Coach Stewart all parts of my game have improved so much.” Miro’s improvement has been so substantial that he went from 5 points per game to a player who has an offer from Eastern Michigan and interest from Michigan, Wisconsin, Purdue, Iowa, Detroit and University of San Francisco.
Miro is still thin, but he is in the weight room 6 days a week to improve that, while not loosing his skills. “He’s a face up 4 man, at 6’10 he can up fake you and take you off the dribble, he has great footwork and has legitimate 3 point range, and his jump shot looks like he is a 2 guard.” Stewart said. “He has a jump hook with either hand and can turn over either shoulder.” Jamie did add “He is working on his moves off the dribble and backing you down as a post player, since he can be pushed around by stronger guys.” There is a lot of work to be done, but Miro has time on his side and a place to put that work in with Coach Stewart. “He is the best player in this area since 1990 at least, if not ever.” Coach Stewart said.
Besides his training with Jamie Stewart Miro has been busy traveling this summer as well. “I went to Mexico with the Canada U16 team, and then went to Orlando with the U19 Team Michigan.” Miro said. He also recently went to a 5-Star camp as well and turned a lot of heads. “I won most improved player” Miro said proudly. On an unofficial visit to Eastern Michigan Miro did receive a verbal offer. “I liked the campus and the athletic facilities and Coach Murphy and his staff as well. It was a great experience.”
Miro has a great work ethic and his improvement should continue over the next 3 years before he can go off to college as a member of the class of 2014. As of now, only one thing is really standing in his way according to Jamie Stewart. “His high school competition isn’t great, but for the 2011-2012 season at least he will stay in Canada.” Stewart continued “If he does move to a prep school it will be important to us that academically it fits our semester schedule and we can get him there for the season and then back here to train.”
When Miro does make his college decision he will be looking to play. “I don’t want to be a practice player, I want to go somewhere that I can play and help the team.” Miro added “Having a good relationship with the coaches is of course important, you just want that right fit, that when you step on campus it just feels right.” Coach Stewart mentioned waiting Miro to stay close. “Where he ends up is up to him, but a school like Michigan or Eastern Michigan that is only an hour away is super attractive to me, being so close.” Miro has lots of time to think about it, but as of now he wants to major in business. “Getting a degree is very important as well, so I would be looking for a university with a good business school.”
Miro is working on his entire game but does have an opinion on what he does the best. “My footwork in the post and my shooting. I’m 6’10 and can shoot like a guard. I don’t let the defense direct the shot I take; I take the shot I want.” Besides getting stronger the next biggest part of his game Miro is working on is his defense. “I’m working on my pick n roll defense and my shot blocking, because of my size I can block a lot of shots, but I have to work on making sure I don’t get in to foul trouble.”
Miro is looking forward to having another big season this year. “I just want to dominate, play hard, rebound, and work as hard as I can all the time.” Miro added when asked about his personality “I was kind of a quite kid but I enjoy being the center of attention.” Miro added with a laugh, “I’m kind of use to it, because of my height.”
Miro will be playing in the Consortium Fall League that starts Sunday September 11th so fans and scouts from the state of Michigan will get a great chance to see this rising prospect play
it's beyond me why any of these Serbian kids would chose that program over Serbia's.