It's about time Croatia get back to global stage, says Rudan

ZAGREB (FIBA U16 European Championship 2017) - Croatia may be a famed basketball nation, but their last FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup appearance came in 2012. Matej Rudan wants to change that this summer at the FIBA U16 European Championship 2017.

Croatia have only played at one FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup, when they finished third in Lithuania in 2012.

"That was five years ago and I think it's time for Croatia to get back to the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup," said Rudan, who will be playing for Croatia for the first time. "We have great players, great coaches and a great staff. It's time."

Croatia last reigned over Europe at U16 level in 2010 and 2011 with back-to-back titles thanks to future stars such as Dario Saric, Mario Hezonja and Marko Arapovic. But since then, Croatia finished 8th, 6th, 11th and 9th before a fourth-placed placing last summer at the cadets level. A top-five finish in Montenegro will get Croatia back to the U17 global spectacle, which will take place next summer in Argentina.

"It's really a big motivation to go to a global tournament, and we will do all we can to get there," said Rudan.

The 6ft 6in (1.96m) forward hopes he can be a leader on this summer's team, which will face Israel, Lithuania and Serbia in Group A at the competition in Podgorica.

"We need to play like a team and not be afraid of anyone," said Rudan, who plays with Croatian giants Cibona and won the domestic cadets championship while taking home the MVP trophy.

"(Croatia's last FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup appearance) was five years ago and I think it's time for Croatia to get back to the FIBA U17 Basketball Cup. We have great players, great coaches and a great staff. It's time."Matej RudanMatej Rudan

Rudan is just one of many talented players on the Croatian team along with Roko Gizdavcic, Sandro Rasic and Victor Saric. There are also a couple of high-level 2002-born players in Ivan Perasovic and Boris Tisma. Despite the players being major prospects, the team is really coming together in the build-up to Montenegro.

"The good chemistry in the team is stronger than any individual potential," Rudan said.

Saric is the only player on the team who played last year at the FIBA U16 European Championship, and that will help this year's team, Rudan insists.

"His experience will help a lot. He will give some advice to the younger guys," Rudan said.

The Omis native has been receiving basketball advice his whole life from his family.

"I started playing basketball when I was 6-years-old because my whole family played basketball," Rudan said.

His mother Gordana Cato played during the 1990s and helped KK Split to a number of national championships. Father Josko Rudan played domestically while cousin Teo Cizmic played for KK Split's golden generation with Toni Kukoc, Dino Radja and Velimir Perasovic. Cizmic's son Leo is playing for Croatia at the FIBA U20 European Championship 2017, Division B. And his mother's cousin Katarina Mrcela also played professionally.

Former Yugoslav youth international Teo Cizmic (here coaching Hungarian club Kormend) watched his relative Matej Rudan grow up 

Matej has already shown a high level of talent. Despite not having turned 16-years-old yet, Rudan played for Cibona at an elite European U18 club competition this season and held his own, averaging 3.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 17 minutes per game.

One would imagine that having so much basketball in the family that the round ball would dominate everything in the family. But that is not the case for Rudan. When he is not hooking with the big bodies on the court, Rudan is out on the boat looking to hook something else.

"I love squid fishing with my dad," admits Rudan, who grew up in the coastal town of Omis on the Adriatic Sea.

Rudan won't have a chance to go fishing in Montenegro this August. But that's not to say he's not going for a big catch - namely Croatia's first ticket to the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup since 2012.

FIBA