Newly licensed FIBA agents look forward to the future

MIES - There was excitement at FIBA's House of Basketball in Mies on Tuesday and Wednesday for a total of 23 candidates who came from all around the world to take the test required to become a licensed FIBA agent.

One of those from this newest tranche was former Serbia international Ivan Zoroski, who has played in most of Europe's top leagues. He was quick to outline why he is looking forward to passing on the benefit of his experiences, now that he has obtained his license.

"I have been in basketball all my life and I always wanted to stay in the sport as an agent and to develop myself further after I stopped playing in 2013," he said.

"I grew up playing in Belgrade and then I moved to Olympiacos. Besides Greece, I have also played in Spain, Belgium and Russia, while I spent the last three years of my career in Italy.

"I always knew that I was going to stay in basketball and this [becoming an agent] was going to be the natural course for me, since I was never attracted to becoming a coach. You never say never, but I am glad that I have moved for this agent's licence."

"There are many aspects I am looking forward to and especially helping young players to develop themselves. I feel it is very important that I was a player in a great programme in Serbia, so I can give good advice in terms of what the young kids need to do. Especially because it’s not just about talent, but also about hard work and avoiding certain things to be successful.

"For me there is also space to grow and improve as a person by becoming an agent. It helps being able to speak four different languages too - that gives a good vibe for any business in terms of being able to speak with local people.

"It's also great to be at the FIBA House of Basketball and I am very impressed," concluded Zoroski.

Ivan Zoroski (SRB) and Pape Amadou Sambe (ITA/SEN) were among those that took the FIBA Agents Test on Tuesday 

Meanwhile Pape Amadou Sambe of Italy is hoping to help push opportunities for African players and is just as excited at the prospect of getting started in his new career.

He declared: "I grew up in Italy, but my family is from Senegal and I have played in different cities in Italy, Spain and Switzerland. I wanted to change my life as I am done with playing basketball and I also want to help people to grow into good players and try to avoid mistakes. My goal is to help players from Africa, because it’s a very different situation from when you grow up in Europe.

"I am going to move there and show the players how you can work to get a good basketball education in Europe. I know how the situation is in Africa and as well as good advice, you also need some luck to make it as a professional player. The important thing for young players is that they make the most of their opportunities when they come along."

FIBA