Divac excited about changes in system of competition

MIES (2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Serbian basketball great Vlade Divac has given a big thumbs-up to FIBA's new system of competition, which goes into effect in November of 2017.

Over a four-year cycle from 2017 through 2021, national teams will play regular home and away games to qualify for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2021 FIBA Continental Cups.

There will be several windows during the year for national teams to play qualifying games in their own country, including Divac's native Serbia when they go up against European opponents.

Divac also likes the fact that the FIBA Basketball World Cup has been moved back a year.

"It's a great concept and has value for basketball for the future because for a long time, it has been in the shadow of football," said Divac, Chairman of the FIBA Players' Commission, to FIBA.com.

"So to move it to the year after football and give basketball more time and exposure [is positive]."

Seeing their team play at home, Divac says, will be important for the supporters of all national sides.

"I know it's an opportunity for fans to see their national teams more instead of just waiting for the tournaments," he said.

"Now they're going to see qualification games in those windows during the year."

Having country's national teams at home will be a huge positive for the entire world of basketball, including the leagues.

Basketball is going to be more present in the public eye, - Divac said.

The windows for the national team games will be 20-28 November in 2017, then 19-27 February, 25 June to 3 July, 10-18 September and 26 November to 4 December in 2018.

The last window will be 20-28 February in 2019.

Divac, who won many an important game in his career with Yugoslavia's national team, including the 2002 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Indianapolis, says meaningful home games will help federations grow stronger.

"It's absolutely a no-brainer," he said.

"It generates the opportunity to have more revenue for the federations.

"Basketball is a world sport and we have to think about every country around the world to help their basketball, otherwise we're just going to have a couple of countries that play basketball and we don't want that. 

"Like the logo says, we're all basketball."

Divac says the door is going to open to more players to be a part of the national squad with so many windows.

"It's an opportunity for other kids, other players, to have an opportunity to participate, to play for the national team," he said.

"I think it's a good idea.

"It's going to give an opportunity to another kid to be a part of the program... 

"...it's going to be fun to have the games in Serbia on a regular basis."

FIBA