Ivanovic thrilled as youngsters get their chance with Montenegro

PAU (France) - Montenegro's 26-year-old veteran guard Nikola Ivanovic is excited to see a new generation of players finding their way into the national team during the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Qualifiers.

In their squad for the Group G bubble for the November window in France, Montenegro have a 17-year-old in Fedor Zugic, and also 19-year-old Jovan Kljajic. Marko Simonovic, who was just taken in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls, and Dino Radoncic, are 21.

And all will likely get minutes when Montenegro will play in Pau, France against Germany on Friday and then Great Britain on Sunday.

"You have the switch of generations and that is what's happening with Montenegro," he said. "I have played with the national team for eight years and it's fun for me to watch these young guys that are now 20, 18, 19, coming in. I think these FIBA windows are great for them and it's really exciting to play again with those guys."

Simonovic, Radoncic and Kljajic played in the first window, when Montenegro won at home over Great Britain and lost at France.

Ivanovic says the national team opportunities are invaluable for players.

"When I started really young, at the beginning, it was a huge experience for me," Ivanovic said. "It was different to the club, different responsibility, but still you have to produce, you have to gain your highest level."

What helped him, he says, is that Montenegro naturalized very good American guards.

"That's the thing that helped me a lot," he said. "Those players were at first, Omar Cook, and then after, Taylor Rochestie and Tyrese Rice. And that was huge for me because I learned a lot of things from them."

"THIS WINDOW WE NEED TO TAKE AS MUCH AS WE CAN. IT'S A HUGE OPPORTUNITY FOR US."

As for the national team coaches, Ivanovic has played for several. Bosko Radovic is now at the helm.

"We changed a few coaches during that time with the national and from each, you want to pick up the best things for your career, that can help you play at the highest possible level," he said.

Ivanovic says the Qualifiers that are to staged in eight cities on the old continent from November 27 to November 30 have come at the right time for him and his teammates. It will be good to switch gears.

"We're only happy to play because it's a rest from the season with the club team, when you have a lot of pressure," he said. "You have the national team and hang out with the other guys of the other teams. It's really cool to play with the national team against the other teams."

Some of Ivanovic's fondest memories in basketball have come with the national team, including in 2018 when he spearheaded Montenegro's big home win in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers over Ukraine with 30 points, six assists and four rebounds. He hit a memorable shot from half-court, too, on an unforgettable night that saw Montenegro take the inside track for qualification.

All four teams in the FIBA EuroBasket 2022 Qualifiers Group G - Germany, France, Montenegro and Great Britain - are 1-1 after the February window. 

"This window we need to take as much as we can," Ivanovic said. "It's a huge opportunity for us. Great Britain, they played very well against us in Podgorica. Germany, who plays really hard, has good players and is always dangerous. They shoot the ball in high percentages, really hard to play. It's going to be really, really interesting in France."

Playing at the big tournaments is a must for Montenegro.

"We always talk about that," Ivanovic said. "It's always about Montenegro being in a big competition, that's what we are always focusing on, maintaining continuity of going to big competitions. Sometimes that brings pressure, but we have quality, we have players, we can manage getting big things. Right now, this window, this group, this qualification, is always a challenge, especially for the young guys that come to the national team, to be at the big competition."

This will be the first time that national teams have played in a bubble, with FIBA taking the decision because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

"I have a feeling it's going to be a bit strange, the first few days for sure," Ivanovic said. "For some players, it will be the first time they have encountered something like this in their lives. The level of basketball is going to be better because we're going to focus on what's going to happen on the court so hopefully, even in this situation when we are locked down in the hotel and just see the room, I think we need to get the best out of it for sure.

"We are here, professionals, to do our job, remain focused, stay healthy and that's maybe the main goal."

Ivanovic fully understands the decision to have the bubble format, having gone through COVID-19 himself a while ago, though he has since recovered.

"I can only speak from my perspective," he said. "It wasn't nice. Actually, it was ugly. But you look at what's happening around you and you need to be grateful. For real, this is something that is causing a huge problem worldwide, affecting a lot of families, a lot of jobs .You can't do anything except be extra cautious."

Ivanovic is upbeat about Montenegro's future, but also realistic. He knows there are a lot of good teams in Europe and making it to big events is never a sure thing.

"Always, when I think about it, I'm optimistic but there is always a big question mark," he said. "I do believe we have and will have quality in the coming years. We have some young guys that don't play now at the highest level but they have the potential to be the main engine of the national team and that's something this national team needs to focus on, and the federation."

FIBA