Reigning champion U18 Real Madrid opened the defense of its Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament title with a convincing 66-93 victory over U18 Maccabi Tel Aviv at the ANGT Finals. 

Real opens title defense with comfortable win over Maccabi

Doumbia scored the first points of the game from the foul line and Baba Miller made it 0-4 early on. Doron hit a three-pointer for Maccabi’s first score with Klavzar draining a triple as the lead was 3-9. Maccabi was able to stay close at 12-13 before the Spanish power went on a 2-8 spurt to pull ahead 14-21. Veesaar added two scores for Real and the score was 19-25 after 10 minutes.

Diagne came off Real’s bench and picked up four points to get the advantage to double digits 19-31. Maccabi needed more than 3 minutes to score through Doron, which did not slow down Real with a 5-15 run including a Nikolas Cebrian three-pointer for a 26-46 cushion. And the score was 31-50 at intermission. 

Real tallied the first five points of the second half to increase the margin to 24 points. Maccabi tried to make it interesting with three three-pointers as the gap was down to 40-58. Real just had too many weapons with Klavzar and Garuba both hitting a triple and Veesaar converting a three-point play as the lead grew to 46-71. The score was 51-77 after 30 minutes. 

Doumbia had the first points of the fourth quarter to increase the gap to 51-79. The Spanish offense stalled at that point with Maccabi reeling off an 11-2 run to cut the deficit to 62-81. Real answered with 10 straight points to decide the game for good.

Reigning champion U18 Real Madrid opened the defense of its Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament title with a convincing 66-93 victory over U18 Maccabi Tel Aviv at the ANGT Finals. The three-time continental title-holders started pulling away in the second quarter and was never challenged the rest of the Group A game, winning the rebound battle 52-35. Eli Ndiaye paced six Real players in double figures with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists, Ismaila Diagne scored 15 points with 10 rebounds, Urban Klavzar and Henri Veesaar both had 13 points and Sediq Garuba and Amadou Doumbia each tallied 10 points in the win. Maccabi’s leading scorer was Shachar Doron with 14 points with Roi Behar scoring 11 points and Ofri Naveh adding 10 points in the loss.

Urban Klavzar - U18 Real Madrid - Next Generation Tournament Final Four Belgrade 2022 - JT21

U18 Maccabi Tel Aviv v U18 Real Madrid (2022-05-18T09:00:00.000Z)

U18 Mega Mozzart Belgrade’s dream of its first Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament title started in superb form with a 70-54 victory over U18 PFYM INSEP Paris to open Group A play at the ANGT Finals. 

Mega grabs opening win as PFYM offense sputters

Ajinca scored the first points of the tournament on a steal and dunk and Hamon Crespin made it 0-4 early on. Mega punched back with eight of the next 10 points - including a Djurisic three-point play to take its first lead 8-6. PFYM struggled to control Mega big man Bagayoko, who had five points as the advantage was 15-12. Andrija Jelavic added a three-point play for a four-point Mega lead and the score was 20-18 after 10 minutes.

 

Hamon Crespin knotted the game to start the second quarter but the French side struggled to score consistently while Djurisic and Djulovic combined for 12 points in a 13-3 run to grab a double digit lead 33-23. Rupert hit a three-pointer for PFYM with a minute left in the first half - the team’s first triple after missing its first 16 attempts. The score was 37-28 at the break.

 

Bagayoko and Jelavic scored to give Mega a 41-28 lead and PFYM failed to score in the first 4 minutes of the second half until Talis Soulhac’s floater. Two baskets by Rupert trimmed the deficit to 44-36, but the offensive issues returned, going scoreless for nearly 3 minutes and Djurisic drained a three-pointer to give Mega a 51-36 cushion, which was 56-39 after 30 minutes.

 

After Nikola Djapa opened the final quarter, Rupert hit a three-pointer and Noah Penda added a free throw to pull within 58-43. The French team just could not help itself on offense and Djulovic increased the margin to 64-45 with under 6 minutes left. PYFM could get back into the game at all.

U18 Mega Mozzart Belgrade’s dream of its first Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament title started in superb form with a 70-54 victory over U18 PFYM INSEP Paris to open Group A play at the ANGT Finals. Mega, which lost in the ANGT Championship Game in 2017 and 2019, was led by Nikola Djurisic with 20 points while Bassala Bagayoko collected 17 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks. Mega, which also got 12 points from Asim Djulovic, survived committing 35 turnovers and making just 21-of-36 free throws for 58.3 percent, thanks mainly to keeping PFYM to just 3-of-27 on three-pointers for 11.1 percent. The two-time champion PFYM was paced by Rayan Rupert with 19 points and 6 steals with Mael Hamon Crespin picking up 11 points and 6 rebounds.

Nikola Djapa - U18 Mega Mozzart Belgrade - Next Generation Tournament Final Four Belgrade 2022 - JT21

U18 Mega Mozzart Belgrade v U18 PFYM INSEP Paris (2022-05-18T07:00:00.000Z)

The eight-team field also includes a motivated host team – and 2014 continental champion – U18 Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade, 2017 and 2019 runner-up U18 Mega Mozzart Belgrade, 2018 finalist U18 Stellazzurra Rome and U18 Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Real has won the last two titles, in 2019 and 2021, to go along with the crown from 2015 – but the Spanish powerhouse will face a major challenge in Belgrade. 

ASVEL grabbed its ticket to the ANGT Finals by claiming the top spot at this season's ANGT Belgrade qualifying event. PFYM wants to make up for falling slightly short last season, and to make sure won this season's ANGT Varese qualifier. Both teams are loaded with outstanding talent at both ends of the court. 

The third qualifier, ANGT Patras winner Stellazzurra, is in the ANGT Finals for a third time in four editions and would love to finally become the first Italian club to claim the U18 continental title.  

NGS meanwhile has a very French feeling, too. Euroleague Basketball Legend and head coach Vassilis Spanoulis has invited a quartet of French players – Pacome Dadiet, Mohamed Diawara, Zacharie Perrin and Illan Petrus. Perrin was named as MVP of ANGT Varese while playing for Spanoulis's select squad there.

The select team received a wild card for the ANGT Finals, as did the 2015 and 2016 finalist Zvezda, which will be playing for the trophy for a 12th time and 11th in a row; Mega, making its sixth straight appearance; and Maccabi, in the final for the eighth time.

The eight teams will be broken down into two groups with each team playing the others in their group. Group A includes Maccabi, Mega, PFYM and Real while ASVEL, NGS, Stellazzurra and Zvzezda make up Group B. 

The two group winners will face off on Saturday in the ANGT Championship Game at 12:30 CET in the Ranko Zeravica Arena. Entrance to all ANGT Finals games is free of charge.

U18 Real Madrid will be heading to Belgrade in hopes of winning the 2022 Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament Finals and hoisting the trophy for an unprecedented fourth time. But the reigning champions will face a massive challenge from two France-based teams – U18 PFYM INSEP Paris and U18 LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, winners in 2010 and 2017, respectively – as well as a U18 Next Generation Select Team headlined with even more French talent. 

ANGT Finals: Real aims to withstand French power for fourth title

U18 Real Madrid champ ANGT Ljubljana  (photo Marin Susic) - JT21

Ido Menchel has experienced two different situations at the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament with U18 Maccabi Tel Aviv. In his first, he wowed scouts with his big numbers. However, it was improved team play in the second that helped him get the chance to return to Belgrade to play at the ANGT Finals.

The last time Menchel was in Belgrade, he was one of the leading scorers at the 2020-21 ANGT Belgrade. He poured in 20.8 points to tie for third-best at the event along with 4.8 rebounds and a tournament-best 7.3 assists. But the team ended up taking fifth place.

“My biggest accomplishment thus far in basketball would be my big performance last year at the ANGT,” admitted Menchel, who was a year younger than the rest of the competition.

Menchel is taking more of a leadership role within the team this year, especially since he’s only been with Maccabi for a second season.

“I’m originally from Modiin, which is a small town In Israel. Maccabi approached me two years ago to recruit me to the club. Maccabi is the biggest basketball club in Israel, and the club that could best make me a pro basketball player in the future,” he said.

This season, Menchel was not called upon to do as much scoring for the team at the ANGT Patras - given a general increase in talent level around him. After attempting 16.5 shots as well as 7.0 free throws a game in Belgrade, the guard averaged 10.3 shots and 1.0 free throw at the ANGT Patras and collected 8.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists. Maccabi ended up winning three games - including an upset of U18 FC Barcelona in the final group game to reach the first-place game, which Maccabi lost 74-62 against U18 Stelllazzurra Rome.

“The ANGT has its own game style. I learned that my first time around,” he said. “I’m very happy that I managed to have a big showing last year at the ANGT. This season we have a better team and played a better tournament as a team.”

Since Maccabi played better as a team, that helped the club earn a wildcard for the ANGT Finals.

One of the reasons for Menchel’s strong play this season as a floor leader - including 16 assists and just 1 turnover in 95 minutes - was his training this season with Maccabi’s first team.

“Practicing with Maccabi’s senior team this season is really a blessing. Playing with them is very challenging and making me better every practice,” he said.

Menchel mentioned one Maccabi player who has really helped him this season.

“James Nunnally and I are getting to talk quite a lot when I’m around with the senior team. He’s giving me a lot of tips on and off the court and I’m super thankful for that,” he said.

Besides playing a leading role at the ANGT Patras, the other big highlight this season for Menchel came on October 9, 2021, when he made his professional debut against Hapoel Haifa.

“When the coach called my name I immediately had a big smile on my face and was ready to play as hard as ever,” said Menchel, who missed his one three-point shot in going scoreless with 1 assist in 3 minutes of an 84-59 win. “The game went well. I didn’t get to score, but I definitely did my best out there and I am expecting more appearances in the future.”

Before any more games with Maccabi’s first team, Menchel hopes the club’s team play can help them be successful at the ANGT Finals.

In his second season with the team - and first training with its senior team, playmaker Ido Menchel looks to lead U18 Maccabi Tel Aviv at the ANGT Finals. 

ANGT Finals: Ever-improving Menchel eager to lead Maccabi at ANGT Finals

Ido Menchel - U18 Maccabi Tel Aviv - ANGT Patras (photo Konstantinos Katsiras - Patras) - JT21

Andrija Jelavic has already experienced the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament but he cannot wait to play for the pink of U18 Mega Mozzart Belgrade at the ANGT Finals and take the next step in his career.

ANGT Finals: Jelavic can't wait to compete in Mega pink


Jelavic signed with Mega about two weeks before the ANGT Finals, joining the club from Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, with whom he played at the ANGT Belgrade in the 2020-21 season.

"Last year's tournament was a great experience that will help me be even better this year," said Jelavic, who averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.5 steals at the qualifier in the Serbian capital.

"I learned a lot because I was playing against great teams and great players who were one year older than me and taught me to play faster and stronger. That's why I think I'm ready to play much better than last year and hopefully will achieve great results with Mega."

The 17-year-old Croatian called signing with Mega the biggest success thus far in his career. Jelavic is a late bloomer who didn't start playing basketball until 2018. Competing against Mega at the 2020-21 ANGT Belgrade made him want to play in the Serbian capital – in part because of the club's distinctive color.

"When I first saw Mega at last year's ANGT, they instantly caught my attention – the pink jerseys, the fast-play style, tall players playing as playmakers and shooting threes," the 2.04-meter forward said. "They really played modern basketball, similar to the NBA. And that's why I wanted to play for them."

Mega's history of developing top-level talent was another reason for him to head to Serbia.

"The best thing about Mega for me personally is that they are giving young players a chance to be the leaders of the senior team, and they have the best training program for young players. I think Mega is the best place for a young player like me to become a great player one day," Jelavic said.

But right now, the focus is on helping Mega at the ANGT Finals. And Jelavic believes Mega is a worthy recipient of a wild card for the competition after taking sixth place at the ANGT Belgrade in February.

"I think Mega deserved a wild card for the ANGT Finals because they have achieved some huge successes back in 2017 and 2019 (both times reaching the ANGT Championship Game)," he said. "And the Mega team was not complete during the Belgrade qualifying tournament. I think a complete Mega team is an excellent team with excellent players, and I'm looking forward to showing that at this year's ANGT Finals."

Despite only just joining the team, Jelavic is confident of Mega's chances in Belgrade.

"I think there will be no problems because the whole team is maximally focused and I think we are serious candidates for great results at this year's ANGT finals," he said.

Luka Krajnovic is elated after receiving an invitation to play on the U18 Next Generation Select Team at the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament Finals in Belgrade under Vassilis Spanoulis.

ANGT Finals invite, learning from Spanoulis are biggest honors for Krajnovic

The Cibona Zagreb guard played at the ANGT Belgrade as part of the U18 Next Generation Team Belgrade where he averaged 13.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists. That performance led to a place on the All-Tournament Team and earned him a spot on the select team for the ANGT Finals.

“I have won four national championships so far and was named MVP each time. Being chosen in the Best 5 of the first ANGT tournament was a huge deal, however, the biggest award is the invitation to this Next Generation Select Team,” said Krajnovic.

The Croatian playmaker was already impressed with what he experienced at the ANGT Belgrade back in February in the Serbian capital.

"I think that Spanoulis really managed to pass his positive attitude onto us and I will remember that for the rest of my life. I will always try to make that a part of my character."

“Just being able to participate in such an event was a great experience, but I am even happier to have been in a team with great teammates and to have felt us grow through each game with the help and leadership of our coaches. And with that I hope we proved ourselves to be able to play at such a high level,” he said.

Krajnovic has already had his share of career highlights despite only turning 18 in late April. In addition to the youth Croatian titles, he has also represented Croatia internationally at the U16 and U18 levels. But those accolades pale in comparison to those from his coach on the Next Generation selection team - the legendary Spanoulis.

“I was most surprised by his faith in us, especially after the first game when none of us played well. That was a big shock for me because I had never experienced something like that before,” Krajnovic said about playing for Spanoulis. “I think that he really managed to pass his positive attitude onto us and I will remember that for the rest of my life. I will always try to make that a part of my character and how I see the game.”

The experiences with NGB and the Croatian youth national teams were important for Krajnovic to see how he compares to other players. The ANGT Belgrade came shortly after he made the jump from Bosco to Cibona in January, which he also felt was necessary for his development.

“I needed a new challenge, to see where I’m standing compared to the players I thought were more experienced than me and to try to adapt so I can be much more prepared and ready to play at a higher level at the beginning of next season,” said Krajnovic, who has averaged 4.3 points, 1.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in six Croatian League games this season for Cibona.

He is also learning a lot from one of his Cibona teammates who is already the captain of the team despite being just a year and a half older than him, Roko Prkacin. Prkacin is an ANGT alum who posted 17.5 points, 13.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.3 blocks at the 2019-20 ANGT Valencia.

“I’m happy to see that someone so young can already be so valuable to his team and his example gives me hope so I can accomplish something like that myself,” Krajnovic said of Prkacin, who also has already become a leader with the Croatian senior national team despite being just 19 years old.

Krajnovic will have his next chance to show all of Europe what he can do at the ANGT Finals later this month. And he can’t wait to experience everything that is involved, including watching the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the best of what Europe has to offer at the moment, the senior players and many up-and-coming stars," Krajnovic said. "The very thought of me being a part of all that is unbelievable."

Luka Krajnovic - U18 Next Generation Team Belgrade - Belgrade 2022 (photo Djordje Kostic - Zvezda) - JTB21

Luka Krajnovic  - U18 Next Generation Team Belgrade - Belgrade 2022 (photo Djordje Kostic - Zvezda) - JTB21

Best 5, Luka Krajnovic - U18 Next Generation Team Belgrade - Belgrade 2022 (photo Djordje Kostic - Zvezda) - JTB21

Henri Veesaar has already experienced the glory of winning the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament title and the center hopes to lead U18 Real Madrid to back-to-back ANGT crowns and finish his junior career in style.

Real’s Veesaar aims for perfect end to youth career

Veesaar helped Real fight past U18 Zalgiris Kaunas 60-61 in the ANGT Ljubljana first-place game to book the club’s eighth consecutive trip to the ANGT Finals, where the Spanish powerhouse will be aiming for its fourth crown - and third in a row.

“I think if we share the ball, defend and run the the floor with a good mentality, we can beat anybody. But we need to stay focused and be more consistent,” said Veesaar, who averaged 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.8 blocks at the ANGT Ljubljana.

The Estonian big man and his teammates saw against Zalgiris what can happen if they let up as they needed everything they could muster to fend off the Lithuanian club, which itself has hoisted the ANGT trophy twice.

“I think it was a great game. We fought hard. The game showed that we need to be more consistent and keep our foot on the gas the whole time and never let go, because if we do that in the ANGT, all teams can come back quickly,” said Veesaar, who had 3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block against Zalgiris.

The victory gives Veesaar another chance to play at the ANGT Finals and experience the elite level in youth basketball - something he could hardly have imagined when he came to Real Madrid from Estonia in 2020.

“So far, it has definitely been the biggest decision that I have ever made. As a 15-year-old, it was a bit of a dream come true that such a big club was interested and believed in me,” he recalled. “As a kid, it’s always hard to move away from your parents and friends. But luckily, in the modern era, it’s pretty easy to keep contact through social media and phone calls. Also basketball is a team sport, so it’s not that difficult to make new friends.”

And it was with those new friends that Veesaar won the 2021 ANGT trophy. Two games from the 2021 title run at the ANGT Finals in Valencia last June really stand out for Veesaar. 

“For sure the game against ASVEL. It was a very close one and it helped us secure a place in the ANGT Championship Game. And of course, the overtime win against Barcelona,” Veesaar said referring in the latter to Real’s 81-78 win over archrival Barcelona in the championship game. “That game was just full of memories that I will never forget.”

The 2.09-meter big man said the ANGT title “barely beats out” his debut with the Estonian senior national team in terms of top career accomplishments.

“Incredible, I was able to represent Estonia at the highest level possible and I am super proud of it,” he said of facing Germany in a FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 European Qualifiers game in November 2021. “Playing with older players really helps you to understand what you need to do to maximize your potential. It brings out your flaws and helps you to understand what you need to work on.”

Veesaar and co. are happy to be back on the biggest stage of European youth basketball and he wants to finish the job in Belgrade.

“It would be perfect for me to cap off my youth career and end it with an amazing memory with my teammates,” he said.

ANGT Finals: Real’s Veesaar aims for perfect end to youth career

Henri Veesaar - U18 Real Madrid - ANGT Ljubljana (photo Marin Susic) - JT21

The Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament Is one of the biggest highlights on the calendar for U18 PFYM INSEP Paris, which has twice hoisted the continental trophy. And now after the famous academy missed the competition last season, Rayan Rupert and the rest of the PFYM players are looking to make up for lost time at this season’s ANGT Finals in Belgrade.

Rupert, PFYM hope to make up for lost season

Rupert captained his team to first place at the ANGT Varese and a ticket to the ANGT Finals - the eighth time that PFYM will be playing in the spectacle at the Turkish Airline EuroLeague Final Four.

“It's great, but it's only a first step. We still have a lot of work to do and we hope to win in Belgrade,” Rupert said about winning the Varese event, where he averaged 12.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 4.0 steals and 0.8 blocks for an average PIR of 14.0. “It's a great experience for me and my team to be able to face the best teams in Europe and the goal will be to win.”

PFYM claimed the trophy in 2010 and 2017 and is one of six teams with multiple ANGT titles along with U18 Real Madrid, U18 CSKA Moscow (both three), U18 Zalgiris Kaunas, U18 FMP Belgrade and U18 Rytas Vilnius (all two).

“It would be a great accomplishment for INSEP and for our team to reward all the work of the season,” Rupert said.

The 1.97-meter guard is playing in the ANGT a second time after he collected 4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal in 18 minutes of two games at the 2019-20 ANGT Belgrade.

“It allowed me to learn that each game, each possession is important; that the truth of yesterday is not that of today; and that we must always stay focused on the final objective,” Rupert said of those games in February 2020.

Rupert was two years younger than the rest of the competition in the 2019-20 season and then he missed out on the ANGT last season as the team was not granted permission by the French government to play due to COVID-19 measures. 

“We were very disappointed because we had worked very hard for that moment,” Rupert said about missing the ANGT in 2020-21. “We had a very good team with Ousmane Dieng, Adama Bal and many others and we would have liked to have won.”

Winning is something that runs in Rupert’s family. His 20-year-old sister Iliana Rupert has won multiple medals for France’s women’s youth and senior national teams, including the 2020 Olympic bronze medal, and also was named MVP for leading Bourges Basket to this season’s Women’s Eurocup title.

“I am very proud of her early career and I hope she will still accomplish great things. We often talk about our games and basketball in general. We advise each other,” said Rayan, who is nearly three years younger.

Rupert’s father, Thierry Rupert, played three seasons in the EuroLeague for French team Pau-Orthez from 2004 to 2007 and also spent three seasons in the EuroCup with Pau-Orthez (2007-08) and Le Mans (2009-2011).

Thierry Rupert died in February 2013 after spending six months in a coma, and both Rayan and Iliana wear No. 12 in memory of their father. Rayan said there are still many lessons he remembers learning from his father.

“Always work very hard, that in this environment we do not receive anything for free and that all you want is up to you to go get it and give yourself the means and work for it,” he said.

Rayan Rupert said playing the game was clear to him early on.

“From a very young age I always knew that I wanted to make basketball my job and I feel ready to go professional next year and climb the ladder year after year,” he said.

Assisting him in that climb are the leadership skills he is learning as the PFYM captain.

“It's an honor and a role that I take very seriously. I try to talk to the guys a lot on and off the court, to lead by example,” he said.

And led by the example of PFYM captains before him, Rupert hopes to lift the ANGT title before he starts to climb that ladder.

ANGT Finals: Rupert, PFYM hope to make up for lost season

Rayan Rupert - U18 PFYM INSEP Paris - ANGT Varese 2022 (photo Alessia Doniselli) - JT21

Luka Vudragovic will get a shot at redemption for the biggest disappointment in his young career.

Zvezda’s Vudragovic wants redemption at ANGT

Vudragovic and U18 Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade have received a wild card for the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament Finals. Rewind to late February and 10 minutes into the ANGT Belgrade first place game and everything seemed to be going well for Vudragovic. The 1.94-meter guard had drained six three-pointers and Zvezda led 30-26 over U18 ASVEL Villeurbanne. However, Zvezda failed to score in its last 12 possessions over the final 5:53 minutes and lost to ASVEL 73-80.

“We learned that we need to play with more concentration throughout the game and that no one will surrender at the start of the game,” said Vudragovic, who scored just 1 of his team-high 19 points after the first quarter. “My biggest disappointment in my career is the loss to ASVEL in the final game of the tournament. I think we were the best team in the tournament, and everything can change in one game.”

Vudragovic, who was named to the All-Tournament Team as he averaged 17.5 points on 44.8% three-pointers, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals for a PIR of 16.8, said he was relieved that Zvezda received a wild card to play at the ANGT Final.

“In the game against ASVEL, I think we showed that we deserved it. I am glad to be a part of such an event and to be able to watch the best basketball in my city,” he said.

Vudragovic hails from Stari Banovci in Vojvodina, just northwest of Belgrade. He was playing for KK Vizura in the summer of 2020 when he was asked by Zvezda to join his favorite club growing up.

“I didn't think much when the offer from Zvezda arrived. I fulfilled a boyhood dream. Everyone in the family loves Crvena Zvezda,” he said.

Vudragovic joined a long list of high-level talents to play for Zvezda and he hopes to take the next step with the club.

“The most important thing for me is to progress with my teammates and to prove that I can play professional basketball in the future,” he said.

A few weeks ago, Vudragovic and his U18 teammate Nikola Topic trained with the Zvezda pro team and head coach Dejan Radonjic.

“It was an amazing experience for a young player, an amazing experience. It meant the most to me to feel how a EuroLeague team trains,” he explained.

But Vudragovic’s focus now is the ANGT Finals where Zvezda would love to add a second continental title following 2014, which was followed by reaching the ANGT Championship Game in 2015.

“We need to win every game in the tournament, to be stronger and more concentrated during the tournament,” Vudragovic said when asked what the team needs to do to be successful.

And that would bring Vudragovic redemption for the biggest disappointment thus far in his career.

ANGT Finals: Zvezda’s Vudragovic wants redemption at ANGT

Luka Vudragovic - U18 Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade - Belgrade 2022 (photo Djordje Kostic - Zvezda) - JTB21

Luka Vudragovic - U18 Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade

Luka Vudragovic celebrates - U18 Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade - Belgrade 2022 (photo Djordje Kostic - Zvezda) - JTB21

Best 5, Luka Vudragovic - U18 Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade - Belgrade 2022 (photo Djordje Kostic - Zvezda) - JTB21