Jan Vide: Debutants Slovenia not going to U17 World Cup as tourists

LJUBLJANA (Slovenia) - Slovenia may be the new kids on the block at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2023, but star guard Jan Vide says the Balkan country will not be satisfied just being in Spain.

"We are not going there as tourists. We can surprise many teams if they underestimate us. We're going to see what will happen," said Vide, who led Slovenia in scoring with 27.0 points to go with 5.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists at the FIBA U16 European Challengers 2021.

Slovenia booked their ticket to their first-ever U17 World Cup by placing second in Group C of the Challengers with a 4-1 record behind undefeated Serbia. Vide and co. grabbed wins over Turkey, Israel, Belgium and Czech Republic.

"We did a really good job last summer. We sacrificed two months of our vacations just to be in Novi Sad (for the Challengers) and compete with all those other teams. We did an amazing job. Nobody expected us to be here, we are happy about going to Malaga."

Vide spent the beginning of June in Milan at the Basketball Without Borders Europe camp as a reward for his performance this season with Real Madrid's junior team. While Vide was selected as an All-Star at the camp, the rest of the Slovenian team was working out ahead of the U17 World Cup.

"I talk to them all the time and I can't wait to get back," he said from Italy.

The 6 ft 5 in (1.95m) guard will try to pass along some of the tips he received from NBA players and coaches at the camp.

"I learned so many things … not big things, just little details: how to dribble, how to look up and details on how they look at the game differently. The mentality is different," he explained.

Jan Vide at the BWB Europe camp in Milan

Vide did remain realistic in terms of expectations for Malaga, where Slovenia have been drawn into Group D with five-time undefeated reigning champions United States, Mali and the fourth-placed team from the on-going FIBA U16 Asian Championship 2022.

"We are probably not the most talented team, we are not the tallest team or the fastest team, but we are probably the team that plays with the most heart. That will help us to surprise people. Nobody should underestimate us," he said.

Slovenia have played four preparation games thus far, beating Poland twice 74-69 and 77-72 without Vide and then losing to Serbia 77-59 and 80-65. Slovenia will face the country's U18 team on June 18 and June 19 and then square off against Canada on June 27 and 28.

 
Vide admitted he is really looking forward to Slovenia's second game versus the United States, saying: "Playing against the United States will be an amazing experience."

Still, he was not afraid of having high hopes, offering: "The dream is to get a medal. That is a big step to do it, and now we have a month to practice."

A month before Vide and Slovenia head to Spain - but not as tourists

FIBA