MVP Jakucionis of Barcelona heads ANGT Zadar all-tourney team

After he helped U18 FC Barcelona to take first place and lock up a spot at the ANGT Finals, [Kasparas Jakucionis](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ngt/players/kasparas-jakucionis/012197/) was named Most Valuable Player of the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament Zadar.

Jakucionis was joined on the All-Tournament by his teammate [Dame Sarr](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ngt/players/dame-sarr/011666/), [Lucas Langarita](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ngt/players/lucas-langarita/010885/) of U18 Casademont Zaragoza, [Toni Bilic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ngt/players/toni-bilic/010915/) of U18 Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana and [Mouhamed Faye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ngt/players/mouhamed-faye/012403/) from U18 Next Generation Team Zadar.

With 16 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals for a performance index rating of 20, Jakucionis played a major role in Barcelona winning the first-place game 54-81 over Zaragoza. For the tournament, the Lithuanian averaged 19.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.0 steals for a PIR of 25.0. He ranked fifth in scoring, fourth in assists, tied for first in steals and second in PIR.

In the first-place game, Sarr collected 27 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals for PIR of 29. The Italian averaged 19.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 3.0 steals, resulting in a PIR of 17.8. With those averages, Sarr ranked third in scoring, tied for first in steals and ninth in index rating.

Langarita was held in check in the first-place game with 6 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 block. But he was great the rest of the tournament, picking up 18.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks for a PIR of 19.0. The guard ranked sixth in scoring, fifth in rebounds, first in assists, fourth in blocks and seventh in PIR.

Faye dominated play inside for NGT Zadar with 14.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 2.2 blocks, coming out to a PIR of 24.0. He ranked first in rebounds and blocks, third in index rating and 12th in scoring.

Bilic, for his part, tallied 21.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.2 steals for an average PIR of 20.0. He was the leading scorer, fifth in PIR and ninth in assists.

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Michael Ruzic failed to meet his own expectations in the first game of the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament Zadar. Then he bounced back and had one of the best games of the event. 

Zadar talent Ruzic making sure he gets up after struggles

Michael Ruzic failed to meet his own expectations in the first game of the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament Zadar. Then he bounced back and had one of the best games of the event. That was just the latest example of the U18 Zadar talent getting back after going through a tough experience.

In Zadar’s opening game against U18 Next Generation Team Zadar, Ruzic made just 2 of 10 shots and scored 6 points after being chosen before the tournament as the club’s player to watch. The next game against U18 Helsinki Basketball Academy, Ruzic made 10 of 13 shots and 9 of 9 free throws in scoring 29 points to go with 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks for an index rating of 41 in a 92-67 victory.

"It was a poor performance. I just realized that I put unnecessary pressure on myself to perform well. Overnight I just reset myself to relax, stay composed and don’t live in the past. And that resulted in a best performance," said Ruzic, who also went for 23 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks in the team’s final group game against U18 FC Barcelona.

The name Ruzic is not a new one at Europe’s highest level; his father Tomislav Ruzic played four seasons in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague from 2000-01 to 2004-05 with Zadar, Cibona Zagreb and ASVEL Villeurbanne.

"He did tell me stories but I don’t really remember them because I was really young. But he shares his experience with me. He’s always giving me advice before games and sharing his wisdom and I will always be thankful for that," said Ruzic about his father, who played 53 games in the EuroLeague as well as 51 games during four seasons in the 7DAYS EuroCup - including 2008 to 2010 for Zadar and as late as 2013-14 for Besiktas Istanbul.

"You may get knocked down, but keep moving because it’s never about how you fall but how you get back up."

The younger Ruzic was born in Besancon, France, while his father was playing for Besancon Basket in 2006-07. Michael also lived in Antalya, Turkey, when his father played for Bld Antalya in 2007-08.

The victory was Zadar’s first in the ANGT in 14 years dating back to the 2008-09 season. The last time the Croatian club participated in the tournament was the 2009-10 campaign at the ANGT London. And now Ruzic and his teammates have the chance to compete on the biggest stage at home.

“It feels great that we can play on our home court in front of our home fans because it’s a really special feeling," he said.

Ruzic is having a strong season for Zadar’s second team in the second division. But it came after one of the biggest disappointments in his young career.

He averaged 7.0 points and 5.4 rebounds playing for Croatia at the FIBA U16 European Championship 2022. But the team finished 14th and was relegated to Division B for this summer.

"I learned a lot. No matter how bad things get, no matter how many bad things happen you must always rise above that and continue moving forward. You may get knocked down, but keep moving because it’s never about how you fall but how you get back up," he said.

Ruzic said he returned to Zadar having lost a lot of weight and with an injury that hampered the start of this season. But it was that stick-to-it attitude that got him back on track.

"I stayed focused. I just worked hard and I was able to show my talent and potential in the Croatian B division and thanks to my coaches and the staff I was able to do that," said Ruzic who is averaging 6.2 points and 3.7 rebounds this season for Jazine.

And now Ruzic has another high point to look back on as he moves forward.

Zadar talent Ruzic making sure he gets up after struggles 

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