Future of Serbian NT

[Serbian_Layup]

Bogoljub Marković and Nikola Topić invited to the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp at All-Star weekend in Salt Lake City 17-19. February.

Marković is a 6'11 (210 cm) SF/PF with impressive skill set on offense. Another ultra talented forward across 2002-2005 generations.

Topić is the best prospect at PG position. He's had impressive games so far in KLS, immediately showing off his talent in senior competition (low level of quality though). A big 6'6 point guard who controls the game with his IQ and is starting to show his scoring ability. Also 2005 generation like Marković.

2005 generation is really talented, another kid who's got big potential in that generation is Ognjen Stanković (6'8 PG/SG) and also forwards like Filip Jović and Lazar Gačić. Super talented generation covered in all spots.

2006 generation features two big prospects at SG/SF positions - Bošnjaković and Radošić. Radošić is more of a scorer with an array of moves when attacking and finishing around the basket. Bošnjaković is more of a two way threat who does a bit of everything, a prototype of a really solid two way player.

And of course Đurišić (2004), Jović and Vukčević (2003) are already in the spotlight.

It's going to be fun watching these players over the summer.

[Giannis34GOD]

Please win the match on Monday... I can't imagine a FIBA WC w/o Serbia participating... Don't lose to pesky UK team....

[Serbian_Layup]

Please win the match on Monday... I can't imagine a FIBA WC w/o Serbia participating... Don't lose to pesky UK team....

It would take an incredible meltdown to lose at home to UK in a do or die game.

[Serbian_Layup]

Topić finished season in KLS averaging 18 ppg, 5 ass and 4 reb, while shooting 64% for 2, 42% for 3 in 12 games. Really impressive. Still going to have a couple more good games vs Partizan and Zvezda by the end of season. At some point it looked like we might struggle to produce a decent PG after Teo and Micic, but Topic is flashing a serious talent to become the starting PG of our NT in the future. Still too early to tell, but so far I don't see any major weakness in his game. If I compare him to Teo and Micic (premature comparation of course) he has a mix of both when it comes to scoring and passing. He won't be as good of a passer as Teo (especially in an extravagant way, out of the box thinking) but his IQ is off the charts and will always be able to read the game and make timely efficient passes. On the other hand he has the tools to be more reliable shooter than Micic and make a better balance between passing and scoring game. Kind of true floor general who controls the game. He is so fast and fluid with the ball in his hands that it seems it takes a split of a second to accelerate and gets wherever he wants to. Combining that with size, shooting and a really good touch around the basket with a surprising agility and coordination when he dribbles in traffic, he has all the tools to succeed at senior level. Another very important aspect is his mentality, he seems to be so composed and calm on the court, looking really focused and in control of his emotions. From this perspective he looks like the next big PG, but we'll see soon what is his trajectory when he grows into his body and start competing at higher level. So far all points indicate that Topic has what it takes to be at least national team level PG with solid possibility that he can turn into star level player. Should be getting big minutes in ABA league already next season.

It's not just Topic though, more PG's worth keeping an eye on are Drezgic and Stankovic. Drezgic posted triple double at ANGT in Belgrade, while Stankovic is already getting minutes for Igokea in ABA league and has just won FIBA Champions league for juniors with Radosic (tremendous scoring instincts, scored 26 in the final game). All of these kids + Bosnjakovic, Markovic, Jovic, Gacic could form really talented youth teams to watch over summer.

[Serbian_Layup]

ABA league U19 F4
Topić and Đurišić are probably two of the biggest talents we have right now.
Stanković also had excellent game for Igokea.
Deep talent pool, interesting to see who is going to pan out at senior level. Plenty of candidates.

https://twitter.com/ABA_League/status/1648718153617219585?cxt=HHwWgoC9kZ2btuEtAAAA

https://twitter.com/ABA_League/status/1648765868870959105?cxt=HHwWgoC8vc_0y-EtAAAA

[Serbian_Layup]

https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1649430798179631106?cxt=HHwWhICw8cyk-uMtAAAA

Offense is there, really smooth shot maker. Getting stonger and working on footwork on defense will be very important for the chance to play in NBA.

[Serbian_Layup]

Smailagić gonna be good at basketball when he learns how to play it without fouling out in 10 minutes. Sneaky athletic big man with shooting ability and face up dribbling. We get to see his identity on offense.

https://twitter.com/skweektv/status/1651669476591702017?cxt=HHwWgsDU6eqo9OstAAAA

[Straight forward]

Vukcevic is a good prospect. Not many 7 footers can move like that. Seems like he has a chance to be a bit more flexible and physical version of Mirotic. Both Jovic and Vuckevic in the same fashion basically. We'll be interesting to see who will be better and who will make bigger impact.

https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1658939631725887488

[Serbian_Layup]

Vukcevic is a good prospect. Not many 7 footers can move like that. Seems like he has a chance to be a bit more flexible and physical version of Mirotic. Both Jovic and Vuckevic in the same fashion basically. We'll be interesting to see who will be better and who will make bigger impact.

https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/sta...39631725887488

He can be a deadly weapon, especially on those short shots from the mid range. He can shoot off the dribble, step back, attack closeout, spot up...he's got every shot in his bag. Filling out that frame and improving footwork on defense is something he has to work on.

[Straight forward]

He can be a deadly weapon, especially on those short shots from the mid range. He can shoot off the dribble, step back, attack closeout, spot up...he's got every shot in his bag. Filling out that frame and improving footwork on defense is something he has to work on.

Who do you think will be better? Jovic or Vukcevic?

[Serbian_Layup]

Who do you think will be better? Jovic or Vukcevic?

Hard to say, I think they have similar strengths and similar weaknesses. Jović with a better playmaking, Vukčević with a better shooting. Both lack physical strength and lateral quickness.

[Serbian_Layup]

Topić with 39/6/8 vs physically gifted Real in close game. I think he is going to be very good.

https://twitter.com/SKWEEK_En/status/1659138884012310537

[Serbian_Layup]

Another word on Vukčević.

https://twitter.com/GlobalScouting_/status/1658951348610646016

[Serbian_Layup]

Touch on the the rim and ability to finish with either left or right hand will be huge for him going forward. That's hard to teach. He seems to be coldblooded and not overthinking anything.

https://twitter.com/SKWEEK_En/status/1659841291063300099?cxt=HHwWhsDUlYW3-IguAAAA

[Straight forward]

He seems to be coldblooded and not overthinking anything.

https://twitter.com/SKWEEK_En/status/1659841291063300099?cxt=HHwWhsDUlYW3-IguAAAA

This and his ability to pass and read the game is what I like about him.

But generally I have huge doubts about him. FOA, eyes hurting short legs. His body is not BB player's body. I'm not sure he can be a good athlete at PROs with such short legs. Strong long legs prevail strong short legs in basketball. Specially that I think he lacks a degree of skill and sharpness to be true SG. His shot is not perfect. Now he overpowers opponents and he's more polished than other guys, but I will be looking closely how his PRO career will pan out cause I'm personally interested. He has swimmers body.