Novica Veličković the 22 years-old power forward for KK Partizan has been named Euroleague MVP for February 2009.

Not quite a superstar, but the 6-9, 236lb (205cm, 107kg) Serbian has certainly come of age the last two seasons, and Veličković most certainly made a name for himself last month.

In four crucial matches, Veličković averaged 15.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals, while shooting 50% from the field.  Save for assists, all are improvements over his regular season statistics.

Already boasting strong enough performances to be awarded with Euroleague’s Top 16 Week 2 MVP, his work in February for KK Partizan of Belgrade has not only won him the Euroleague MVP for month, but has helped place Partizan in the ULEB Quarterfinal Playoffs for a second year in a row.

Against Lottomatica Roma, Velickovic scored the first 8 points with two three-point shots and a dunk as Partizan established themseleves early. Partizan would win the game 84-76, and Velickovic finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds 3 assists and 2 blocks for a performance index rating of 29 that earned him the Top 16, Week 2 MVP honor.  Some other highlights from Novica’s February:

• Lottomatica Roma (84-76): 19 points, 10 rebounds 3 assists, 2 blocks
• Malaga Unicaja (60-59): 12 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists, 2 blocks
• Malaga Unicaja (78-74 in overtime): 17 points, 6 rebounds

Other nominees for the February award were Euroleague stars Ersan Ilyasova of FC Barcelona, and Tiago Splitter of Tau Cermica.

As most European hoopers, Velikckovic started his professional career at a young age.  Novica began his career with KK Drvomarket in 1996, before moving onto KK Zemun from 1998-2001.  He finally signed with KK Partizan in 2001 at the age of 15 and has helped to fill the hole left by another young prospect, Nikola Pekovic, whom left fot Panathinaikos in 2008.

Velickocvic represented Serbia on the Serbian Senior National Team at the 2007 Eurobasket, and will participate in 2009 Eurobasket being held in Poland this year.

Links and Resources: Euroleague MVP for February: Novica Velickovic, Partizan (Euroleague.net), Top 16 Week 2 MVP: Novica Velickovic, Partizan (Euroleague.net), Nikola Pekovic Profile (Interbasket), Euroleague Top 16, round 4 (Interbasket), Top European prospects (Interbasket), Serbia Basketball Forum (Interbasket)