Serbian High School Players in US

[AlbionGate]

In other news, Aleksandar Nikolic of DuPont Manual High School in Lousiville, a 6'10" center spoke with KentuckyPreps.com at the Derek Smith Shootout this week. Below is the Q&A:

KentuckyPreps.com: What are you working on this summer, as you head into your senior season?

Nikolic: I'm working on my post moves and I want to get stronger. I've been hitting the weight room pretty hard. I'm about 230 pounds right now but I want to be about 240. I also want to expand my game and become more versatile. I've really been working on my jump shot.

KentuckyPreps.com: Are there any colleges recruiting you?

Nikolic: Right now, I'm getting a lot of interest from Winthrop University. A lot of Ivy League schools are looking at me.

KentuckyPreps.com: What Ivy League schools have been in contact?

Nikolic: I went to Princeton's camp and did pretty well. I visited Pennsylvania University. Cornell, Dartmouth, Yale and Harvard. Also Wright State has shown some interest.

KentuckyPreps.com: Do you have any offers at this point?

Nikolic: No offers yet but I'm expecting some pretty soon.

http://cornellbasketball.blogspot.com/2009/06/recruiting-news_24.html

Aleksandar Nikolic isn't only a good baller. It looks like every famous university in US want him on its roster. Yale, Harvard and Princeton.

 

[AlbionGate]

Dragicevich has surgery for broken finger
June 30, 2009 By GEORGE M. WILCOX Staff Writer

BOYS BASKETBALL — Glenbrook North senior guard Alex Dragicevich will have surgery today to repair a broken finger in his left hand.

Dragicevich, the Pioneer Press North Stars Player of the Year and a member of the Chicago Sun-Times all-area team, suffered the injury June 23 while playing with the Spartans in the Moody Bible Shootout in Chicago.

The 6-foot-6 Division I prospect will miss the first three weeks of the July evaluation period.

Dragicevich, who averaged 20 points and five rebounds last season for the Central Suburban champions, plays AAU basketball for the Lake Forest-based Full Package 17-U Elite team and hopes to return for the Adidas Super 64 tournament July 22-26 in Las Vegas.

"I think you'll see that it will not affect my high school season," Dragicevich said. "I think there will be plenty of time for (college) coaches to watch me in tournaments, which will be in the second half of July. I'm working on my speed and quickness now."

Dragicevich will have two screws inserted into his left ring finger to help the healing. He suffered the injury when he was pushed from behind by an opponent on a fast-break basket and broke his finger while bracing his fall.

Glenbrook North reached the semifinals at the Moody Bible Shootout.

"Just by the way we played, we've had a successful summer," Dragicevich said.

It was the first time in his career that he broke a bone; the injury occurred to his non-shooting hand.

Dragicevich took visits to Indiana, Miami, Ohio and Gonazaga earlier this summer and was planning on taking more visits in August.

He switched AAU clubs after playing last season for the Illinois Wolves. Dragicevich should also be able to play for Full Package in a tournament July 29-31 in Merrillville, Ind.

"He's had a great spring for us," Full Package club director Billy Welcome said. "His recruiting was just starting this summer. Unfortunately the NCAA changed the evaluation period to only July."

Dragicevich will not be able to compete at the It Takes 5 Classic this weekend in Cincinnati, Ohio, and at the Chicago Summer Classic July 9-11 in Deerfield.

Dragicevich led Full Package to the Chicago Shootout championship over Memorial Day weekend. Full Package beat Team Ramey of St. Louis 73-72 in the championship game. Dragicevich scored 35 points in a semifinal win over Indiana Elite. Full Package beat the Wisconsin Scholars in the quarterfinals.

“Dragicevich has made a huge difference in the makeup of our team. He's played point guard for us and this has allowed our other guys to move to their natural positions and be more comfortable in our offense. He really sets the tone and allows us to be more creative offensively,” Full Package Elite coach Steve Pratt said.

The Full Package Elite team also features Maine East's Nus Khan and Charles McKinney, St. Viator's Alan Aboona and Richard McLoughlin, Hersey's Kyle Miklasz and Brian Fabrizius, Lake Forest Academy's Markus Rodgers and Mychal Banczer, St. Charles North's Mike Kastel and Prospect's Nsenzi Salasini.

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/northbrook/sports/highschools/1645319,nb-gbnbbk-063009-s1.article

 

[AlbionGate]

Dejan Kravic highlights.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4w1IPQnLuCk

 

[AlbionGate]

Stefan Jankovic

Published by jovan on July 12, 2009

Class: 2011
Position: Forward
Height: 6’9
School: St. Francis Xavier (Mississauga, ON)

For years, North American coaches have scoured the European continent looking for versatile big men. Luckily for Canadian basketball, we already have some of these players coming up through our national ranks. Stefan Jankovic is one of the best in the class of 2011.

“I came to Canada [from Serbia] when I was about five years old,” the 6’9, 205 pound forward from St. Francis Xavier in Mississauga tells us. Like most European athletes, soccer was his first passion before basketball.

“Soccer wasn’t too big in Canada when I moved here so my parents put me in a couple local basketball camps. I started with my first organized team in grade five with the Mississauga Marauders. I was tall for my age and basketball was perfect for me.”

Since then, Stefan hasn’t looked back. With a smooth shot, solid handles and rebounding prowess, he brings a different type of game for a big man, similar to his favourite player, Hedo Turkoglu.

“My versatility lies in not being the typical 6’9 big man, but instead being a European-type of big man who can do everything on the court,” says Stefan.

While averaging about 20 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks and 4 assists a game for Xavier this season, Stefan helped lead his team to big wins over big schools such as Eastern Commerce, Notre Dame and St. Edmund Campion. During this solid campaign, he found himself stepping up as the team’s leader, a role he takes seriously and hopes to continue excelling in.

A member of the Hoop Factory AAU team and the Canadian Training Camp roster, Stefan was also a part of the Toronto BJCC club that won the Ontario Provincial Championship a couple years back. This summer he is suiting up for Grassroots Canada, which will give him a chance to make a splash on the AAU scene and get more attention.

“I’m trying to go Prep next year and just improve so I can show up on the scene as one of the best players in my class and get some looks from D1 schools,” Stefan tells us. “I’m hoping to get a D1 scholaraship and then after that go pro.”

Going on 16 years of age, Stefan still has plenty of time to continue developing his game as he climbs the ranks of Canada’s top big. And while his opponents wish he never left the soccer pitch, his coaches and teammates can feel lucky that this young star switched his cleats for sneakers.

http://crownmagonline.com/recruiting/buzz/from-cleats-to-sneakers/

 

[AlbionGate]

Class Of 2010 Glenbrook North Star Alex Dragicevich Of Full Package Athletics Now Has A Big East Scholarship Offer From Notre Dame

Chicago Hoops
July 24, 2009

Class of 2010 Glenbrook North star Alex Dragicevich of Full Package Athletics now has a Big East Conference scholarship offer on the table from Notre Dame. Dragicevich ranks as one of the top Class of 2010 basketball prospects in the state of Illinois.

Dragicevich, a 6'7" guard/forward is now back in action after missing the first part of the July Evaluation Period with a broken finger. Dragicevich brings size, an ability to be plugged into multiple positions and tenacity to the table in addition to being one of the top shooters in the state of Illinois.

Dragicevich is currently playing with Full Package Athletics at the Adidas Super 64 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Dragicevich, and his Full Package Athletics teammates will be in action next week at the ChicagoHoops.com End of Season Showdown in Merrillville, Indiana.

http://www.chicagohoops.com/articles1/adragicevich1.html

Dragicevich overcomes injury, adds another offer


July 24, 2009 BY SCOTT POWERS

Watching anyone play basketball early in July was nearly unbearable for Glenbrook North rising senior Alex Dragicevich.

He wanted to be out there so bad. He was missing an opportunity to be seen by more college coaches. But more so he just missed playing. Instead, he sat on the sidelines waiting for the ring finger on his left hand to heal after having surgery on it July 2.

To the surprise of many, that wait ended up being pretty short. Dragicevich was cleared to start working out last week, and he returned to competitive play this week with his club team Full Package in Las Vegas.

Dragicevich isn’t just playing again, though. He’s been dominating. On Thursday at the Adidas Super 64, he put up 28 points in one game and followed it up with a triple-double later. By the end of the day, Notre Dame coach Mike Brey had seen enough and offered him scholarship.

“Alex was sick,” Full Package coach Steve Pratt said. “He went baseline and dunked last game. He’s playing out of his mind. Mike Brey has been at every game. They love him.”

For Dragicevich, his performances have been surreal. He was dying to play, but he wasn’t sure exactly how he’d play.

“I didn’t expect my finger to heal and to be out there and doing this this week,” he said. “I really came into Vegas, and I just couldn’t wait to just play. The recruiting was already set back enough in that first period. I said, ‘I’m just going out, have fun, make sure my team wins and whatever happens, happens.”

What’s happened is that the 6-foot-6 Dragicevich has proven to be an all-around threat. Pratt has played him at nearly every position. At point guard, he’s shown he can handle the ball and distribute. He’s played the wing and knocked down his usual consistent jumper. He’s also shown he can get the ball in the post and score.

With his play, more and more schools have been coming on. He already has offers from Notre Dame, Colorado, Loyola, Miami of Ohio, Rhode Island and Utah. Michigan, Oregon State and Wake Forest have also shown interest.

Dragicevich initially broke the bottom of his ringer at the University of Illinois’ satellite camp on July 23. The surgery involved placing three pins in his finger to fuse his bone back together.

Throughout the week, Pratt hadn’t noticed any problems with his hand.

“I think his hand is sore,” Pratt said. “I think this kid lives and breathes basketball. He’s been waiting to do this whole life, the summer before his senior year. Nothing’s going to stop him.”

http://yourseason.suntimes.com/boys...2409-alex-dragicevich-glenbrook-north.article

 

[AlbionGate]

Alex Dragicevich has committed to Notre Dame.

Alex Dragicevich has committed to Notre Dame.

Dragicevich picks Notre Dame
August 4, 2009 BY SCOTT POWERS


In the emergency room after breaking his finger in late June, Glenbrook North’s Alex Dragicevich was initially told he might not be able to play basketball for up to three months.

It meant he would miss the entire recruiting month of July, which in turn meant there probably weren’t going to any new colleges interested in him.

Today, he laughs when thinking about that. His luck couldn’t have changed more for the better since then.

It began with his finger healing within a few weeks of surgery, was followed by a number of impressive performances in his return to the court in Las Vegas in late July, which brought on a few more scholarship offers and ultimately it led to him committing to Notre Dame on Tuesday.

“It’s been extremely crazy,” said Dragicevich, a 6-foot-6 guard. “It’s crazy how things worked out.”

Dragicevich made a visit to South Bend, Ind. on Monday and called Notre Dame coach Mike Brey to verbally commit on early Tuesday evening. He chose the Fighting Irish over Colorado, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, Utah and Xavier.

“Right when they offered, it was pretty exciting initially,” said Dragicevich of Notre Dame. “I kind of knew the program. I watched them growing up. It was a big offer. It was a school close to home, which I was pretty excited about. It’s a good system for me overall.

“I just really like how they use their guards. There’s a lot of freedom on the perimeter. I think it’s a free-wheeling offense. They shoot a lot of threes. The guards are allowed to handle the ball. It works for all areas of my game. They didn’t recruit me just to be a shooter.”

City/Suburban Hoops Report’s Joe Henricksen agreed Notre Dame was a perfect fit for Dragicevich.

“Look at the type of players Notre Dame is playing with and the last few years with Mike Brey, and you see how he fits that mold,” Henricksen said. “He’s more than just a shooter. He’s a versatile scorer, who can score in a number of ways.

“The big thing is I give a lot of credit to Alex for taking advantage of a small window of opportunity. He had that injury, missed the first part of July and the way he played coming back in Vegas, a lot of credit goes to him. He’s a great kid. I just think it’s great for him.”

Full Package coach Steve Pratt was just as pleased that it all worked out. Pratt had brought Dragicevich to Brey’s attention in June, but because of the injury Brey never had an opportunity to see him play until late July.

“As soon as Brey saw him play, it was over,” Pratt said. “He didn’t see him until Vegas. He came to the first game and he never left. He was at every game.

“Alex gives Notre Dame toughness, leadership, winning. He can shoot the ball, he can play multiple positions, he can handle the ball. He’s a winner. He’s just a winner.”

http://yourseason.suntimes.com/1700909,080409-dragicevich-notre-dame.article


Alex Dragicevich dunk at the Adidas Super 64 in Las Vegas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8YZK0vDGM0&hl=fr

Alex Dragicevich interview before the Adidas Super 64 tournament
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8p-o-iRN-68

 

[AlbionGate]

Boys' basketball: Another Dragovic is coming to SoCal

The younger brother of UCLA forward Nikola Dragovic said today that he is moving to San Marcos, Calif. Danilo Dragovic, a 6-foot-5 junior, is playing for the Double Pump 2011 team. He's going to live with a host family. He's gregarious, funny and outgoing, Double Pump Coach Christian Aurand said.He also can shoot and is playing for a young team that Aurand predicts will be one of the best travel-ball teams next season.Double Pump is full of top prospects, which is why lots of college coaches have come to Rancho High in Las Vegas this afternoon.Among the players are Arizona State-bound Kyle Caudill of Brea Olinda, top guards Josiah Turner from Sacramento and Lonnie Jackson from Valencia, rising guard Spencer Dinwiddie from Woodland Hills Taft and forward Ryan Anderson from Long Beach Poly.-- Eric Sondheimer in Las Vegas

http://losangeles.bbn3.com/sectors/directory/varsity-times-insider/115347

Danilo Dragovic is a 17 years old shooting guard. He played several friendly tournaments for Serbian U16 NT in 2008, but he wasn't selected for the U16 European Championship. Last season, he was playing in serbian lower league for Sport Eko.

 

[AlbionGate]

6-foot-8 Serbian exchange student enrolls at Wheeler


PAUL OREN - Times Correspondent | Posted: Thursday, September 3, 2009

UNION TWP. | With his top four scorers returning to a talented Wheeler basketball team, Bearcats coach Mike Jones didn't necessarily need any more reinforcements this season.

That doesn't mean Jones wasn't happy when 6-foot-8 Serbian forward Aleksa Kojcinovic showed up to school on Monday.

Kojcinovic has worked out with the team during open gym sessions several times, and Jones has seen enough to know that the newcomer has talent.

"He has some ability. He can shoot the ball and now we'll just be trying to fit him in over the next couple months before practice starts in November," Jones said. "He has to get acclimated to the whole environment socially and academically, and then athletically."

Kojcinovic has meshed well with his new teammates, including fellow Serbian Petar Todorovic.

"They were speaking to each other, but I didn't know what they were saying," Jones joked. "He's really just been here a few days, but he does have potential. The thing for him is that he just needs to be a piece of the puzzle. He doesn't have to worry about being the focal point."

The Bearcats went 21-4 and return an experienced group, including seniors Todorovic, Andrew Rudakas and Donnie Ketchum along with Najee Bailey.

"I think it caught everybody off guard that he showed up here," Jones said. "It's only been a few days, but we've all been pretty impressed with some of the things that he has brought to the table."

http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/local/article_46509d13-44d2-5400-95ff-219362caacf6.html

As far as I know, Petar Todorovic is getting offers from NCAA Division 1 programs such as Western Michigan, Toledo, Miami (OH).

 

[AlbionGate]

6-foot-8 Serbian freshman joins Bishop Noll

Newcomer Kostic being recruited by Notre Dame, Purdue

Milos Kostic is a 6-foot-8, top-shelf basketball talent who enrolled at Bishop Noll recently as a freshman. The transplant from Serbia has been ranked No. 1 among freshmen in Indiana by some recruiting publications. There is one thing that Kostic is not.

"He is not an exchange student," Noll coach Drew Trost said. "We'll have Milos for the next four years."

Kostic lives on the south side of Chicago with his brother. In just a month of attending the north Hammond parochial school, Notre Dame, Purdue and Northwestern have all visited Noll's campus to watch Kostic play. He joins a talented Warriors team that finished 13-9 last season.

He is the second Serbian national to join a Greater South Shore Conference school during this past summer. Wheeler had 6-foot-8 Serbian forward Aleksa Kojcinovic join its school recently.

Kostic is working hard to learn the English language and connect with his teammates.

"He is a phenomenal passer," Trost said. "And that doesn't mean he can't shoot because he can. But he'll look for cutters first, and he'll get them the ball most of the time. He can score inside and he can score outside. The upside for this kid is unbelievable."

The Warriors won the GSSC tournament, but lost by six points to Wheeler in a sectional opener. Kostic should help bridge any gap, if there is one.

"Milos is still growing into his body," Trost said. "He is very skilled, and he'll make an immediate impact for us."

http://nwitimes.com/sports/high-school/indiana/article_c831f70c-5535-5702-b280-6f66e167e947.html

He is only freshman in high-school (probably born in 1994 or 1995) and university are already scouting him.

 

[AlbionGate]

Stefan Nastic (C 211 1992), a native of Serbia playing in Ontario, Canada, for Thornhill Secondary School is involved with Cornell, Harvard, Stanford, Maryland, Florida International, Rhode Island, Davidson, UNLV, and Santa Clara. ...

http://cornellbasketball.blogspot.com/

As far as I know Davidson is also interested in him.

 

[AlbionGate]

Bishop Noll's 6-foot-8 addition only a freshman

Most high school freshmen are to be seen and not heard.

But Bishop Noll's Milos Kostic is not your typical ninth-grader. It's almost impossible to ignore the 6-foot-8, 200-pound transplant from Serbia.

Coach Drew Trost confirmed Saturday that Kostic has been offered a basketball scholarship to Northwestern -- at age 15.

"Coach (Bill) Carmody called me and said there was no reason to wait -- that they wanted to be the first," Trost said. "Yeah, I was surprised. Milos does a great job of passing the ball and understanding the game, which Northwestern loves. Watching him play, you forget he's 15.

"When I told him about the offer, Milos said: 'Why? I'm in high school. I have four more years.'"

Kostic lives on the south side of Chicago and is considered one of the top freshmen in Indiana.

"It's going to be a challenge to keep him focused on school," Trost said. "His family, from Day 1, told me the reason they brought him to the United States was to get an education. He's a mature kid and has a good grasp on knowing he needs to work hard in class and on the court.

"But it is pressure."

Trost already has a probable Division I player in point guard Kendall Coleman and a standout sophomore in 6-4 Ronnye Beamon.

"We're excited because (Kostic) will bring more coaches into the gym to look at our other players as well," Trost said.

http://nwitimes.com/sports/high-school/indiana/article_1e7f2c3a-18c3-5a8b-9c70-9c2050992ca0.html

Before moving to US, Milos Kostic (1994), was in Partizan Belgrade U14 team and was considered as one of the most talented kid in his generation in Serbia. It will intersting to see how he will improve and grow up. Hope our amazingly dumb federation won't forget to select him in our U16 national team for the next european championship.

 

[MJ232]

http://fivestarbasketball.wordpress.com/2009/11/03/five-star-camp-rocks-torontos-hoopdome/

 

[AlbionGate]

Things Heating up: Nastic picking up offers from big time programs

Published by Jovan Brkic on November 9, 2009

Stefan Nastic of Thornhill Secondary School in Ontario, is attracting major basketball programs.

Nastic has picked up offers from both Duke and Maryland, two powerhouse NCAA schools.

The 6’10 native of Serbia, not only possesses a strong skill set, but also has more top-level playing experience than many of his peers. The 17-year-old spent the summer of 2008 playing with the Serbian National Team, which gave Stefan a great opportunity to learn first-hand playing with one of the worlds most elite squads.

On the Canadian scene, Stefan has proven to be a handful for opponents. Establishing himself as a star while playing for Thornhill, he also took his game to the next level with CIA Bounce, one of Canada’s premier AAU teams and his Toronto Five-0 OBA team coached by Vlad Matevski, who has played a major role in Nastics’ ever improving game.

Aside from his obvious rebounding and shot blocking abilities due to his size, Stefan also has a great touch around the net and demonstrates a high basketball IQ with his unselfish play, passing skills and ability to lead the fast break.

While it isn’t unusual for a Canadian to receive lots of attention from NCAA teams, the caliber of teams pursuing Nastic, such as Duke and Maryland, are definitely noteworthy.

Expect more schools to come knocking by the end of the 2009-2010 campaign.

http://crownmagonline.com/recruitin...tic-picking-up-offers-from-big-time-programs/

 

[MJ232]

http://www.waterloochronicle.ca/news/article/194825

 

[AlbionGate]

http://www.waterloochronicle.ca/news/article/194825

Not sure why but I always seem to lead this "Links" program with something from the Waterloo Chronicle. Good reporters there who find good stories. This week is a feature on Bluevale's basketball sensation Stefan Cvrkalj. The star of the Knights is already drawing plenty of interest from schools in the NCAA, like Auburn and Cornell. Fortunately for him he's got another year to decide. Meanwhile it's pretty clear there's no favourite to win WCSSAA this year and the Knights are one of the teams that will certainly be in the mix.

Last year, Stefan Cvrkalj (6'4', 1992) was considered as the best prospect in Bluevale serbian starting five. He is improving very well. I really hope that, contrary to several serbian players in canadian high school, he will choose the harder way by continuing his basketball career in NCAA. The kid has the tools to do it.

 

[JGX2]

http://nwitimes.com/sports/high-school/indiana/article_b6d1bc27-25d1-527e-9598-99154feb6a30.html

He's got next: Aleksa Kojcinovic, Jr., C. The burly 6-foot-7 exchange student from Montenegro is a sight for sore eyes (and body) for Rudakas, as opponents will now have somebody else to defend inside. "He's a good skilled player for that size," Jones said. "He's real good in the low post and he can also step out and shoot on the perimeter. He has a good basketball IQ. Right now, we're trying to get him acclimated to the other guys on the floor."

 

[MJ232]

Last year, Stefan Cvrkalj (6'4', 1992) was considered as the best prospect in Bluevale serbian starting five. He is improving very well. I really hope that, contrary to several serbian players in canadian high school, he will choose the harder way by continuing his basketball career in NCAA. The kid has the tools to do it.

Stefan Cvrkalj has had excellent season start so far according to this local basketball blog ("20+ club" at the bottom).
http://cwossabasketball.blogspot.com/
This clip on youtube shows his buzzer which got them into double overtime. They won it and Stefan scored 37 points that night.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCAUsbYOCQU

 

[JGX2]

Good weekend for Milos Kostic:

Kendall Coleman scored 15 of his game-high 27 points in the fourth quarter to help Times No. 7 Bishop Noll boys basketball team pull away for a 63-49 Greater South Shore Conference win over North Newton and remain undefeated.

Milos Kostic added 19 and pulled down 10 rebounds for the Warriors (4-0, 2-0), which remained undefeated through four games.

Joe Corning had 21 points and seven rebounds for North Newton (0-3).

Bishop Noll 86, Lowell 57 | The lights went out, and then Noll shot lights out. In a game that was delayed by a power failure during the junior varsity contest, Ronnye Beamon hit five 3-pointers en route to 26 points as the Times No. 7 Warriors remained unbeaten.

Kendall Coleman scored 16 points, with Milos Kostic adding 14 and Jose Rosario 13 for Noll (5-0).

Austin Richie, meanwhile, hit six 3-pointers and had a game-high 35 points for Lowell (0-2) in the nonconference affair.

 

[AlbionGate]

Good stats for a freshman (class 2013).

BTW, 2012 class forward Stefan Jankovic (6'9, 1993, Kiski School) is very well ranked on espn.

November, 2009: Potential is the name of the game for Jankovic. He is only 15 years old and possibly still growing. He's grown more than 12 inches in the last 18 months and has all of the tools to blossom into a big time prospect. He is very long, athletic, active,...

 

[ball4lyfe2]

watch out for serbian prospect Filip Music class of 2013.
Currently lives in Toronto, Canada. Very skilled and is a good shooter.

Another serbian prospect to watch out for is Stefan Jankovic class of 2012, who now attends Kiski Prep in Pittsburgh. Pretty good shooter with a great touch around the basket for his size.