Exciting times loom in Belgrade where Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet has a mostly new-look squad and great ambition to get back into the playoffs. Last season Zvezda's 17-17 record left it in 10th place, two wins outside of the playoff zone, however with the current format that would have sent the club into the new Play-In Showdown.
Look who's back!
Zvezda fans can welcome home some familiar faces as former players Dejan Davidovac and Nemanja Bjelica are both back at the club. While the former was away for one season, the latter returns after 13 years abroad. Then there is former MVP Milos Teodosic, who grew up a Zvezda fan, though he never wore the red-and-white jersey, and Marko Simonovic who returned to Belgrade after two seasons in the NBA.
Altogether, Zvezda penned new 10 players to deals over the summer. There are several veterans, such as reigning champion Adam Hanga and centers Mike Tobey and Joel Bolomboy. The duo of Yago Dos Santos and Shabazz Napier will be a formidable one at point guard. And Rokas Giedraitis packs plenty of scoring punch.
Unprecedented depth
Coach Ivanovic will preside over the deepest roster in club history. Nemanja Nedovic and Branko Lazic remain from the old guard to deliver in the backcourt, Luka Mitrovic and Ognjen Kuzmic can be counted on in the paint and Stefan Lazerevich and Dalibor Ilic will fill out the rotation on the wings. When everyone is healthy, Coach Ivanovic will have some tough decisions to make.
Zvezda has been to the playoffs only once before, in 2016, when it was swept by CSKA Moscow. The club believes a playoff return is long overdue and Zvezda has the right roster - with youth and experience - and support from the fans to end that drought this season.