After two years, during which he wore the jersey of French Le Portel, Igokea and Vojvodina, Zoran Nikolić returned to Montenegro and Podgorica and signed a contract with SC Derbi.
Between the two seasons, the “students” changed the team quite a bit, so, apart from Nikolić, Ivan Bogdanović, Erik Nil, Andrija Grbović (on loan from Budućnost) and Filip Andušić arrived. Obri Dawkins, Vasilije Baćović, Mateo Drežnjak, Borna Kapusta and Tomislav Ivišić left, and Dejan Jakara was succeeded on the bench by Petar Mijović.
Nikolić, at 28 years old, is one of the most experienced in the young “students” team, so he is expected to be one of the main players in the upcoming season.
– The main reason for my return is the role I wanted to play. In Igoke and Vojvodina, I was the first center and I wanted it to be the same in the new club. I believe that I can play as the first center in the region, which I like the most in terms of basketball. The second reason is that I will cooperate with coach Petar Mijović, with whom I previously cooperated in Budućnost. I know a lot of guys in SC Derbi, so I knew that the adaptation process would go faster for me – said Nikolić for “Vijesti”.
He points out that an important role in his return to Podgorica was played by coach Mijović, with whom he worked during his career in Budućnost Voli.
– I spoke with Mijović, who explained to me what he was looking for and expected from me. We both saw that this was what suited us and what would be good for the team. Both the club and the coach wanted me, things came together and we easily agreed. I know what type of basketball Mijović likes the team to play and that will suit me. It’s a kind of advantage for me, because I’m familiar with his game system – said the 28-year-old from Nikšić.
SC Derbi seems to have rejuvenated the team even more this season. The philosophy of the club remains the same – to give young players a chance to progress.
– The team looks good – there is a big emphasis on local, young players and that is important. SC Derbi is trying to get young basketball players on the right path, so that they can play serious senior basketball from juniors. Captain Nikola Pavlićević is the oldest at 36 years old, followed by Emir Hadžibegović, Nil and me. The other guys are very young. We will play fast, with a lot of running, with a lot of contact, physical basketball. We had a good preparation period – we lost to Trepča and Budućnost, we won the other matches. We are ready for the start of the season, I think that the people who follow us will like how we play – believes the center of SC Derbi.
The rival in the first round of the AdmiralBet ABA League is Spartak (Thursday, 19:00), who won the NLB ABA2 League last season. Subotica started the season in the Champions League qualifiers, where they lost to the Lithuanian Juventus.
– Spartak is a quality team, even though they lost to Juventus. They were missing two starting players – Bolton and Kajami-Kin. I don’t know Bolton too well, and I watched Kajami-Kin before.
Nikolić has played in the regional competition for years, won the 2018 title with Budućnosti, and in an interview with “Vijesti” he says – AdmiralBet ABA league is the best ever this season.
– The league is stronger than last year. Now she might be the best ever. ABA raises the bar when it comes to quality. A lot of teams stepped up well. Maybe some teams are weaker than last season, but that doesn’t have to mean anything. It will be much more difficult to enter the playoffs than last year, because Spartak and Dubai are there. It will be more exciting, and that was foreshadowed by the match between Dubai and Zvezda. I think the season will be unusual and good for all of us. It’s good for us as players to have a competitive league, because there are no easy games anymore. The battle for the playoffs will be exciting from the last round.
SC Derbi reached the playoffs in the previous two seasons, sensationally winning the ABA Supercup last year.
– The main goal is to go game by game. In matches where we are underdogs, we will try to make a surprise. There will be duels where we will be expected to win. And those matches are perhaps the most difficult. I’m sure survival is imperative, something expected. I believe that the team is of sufficient quality that we can overcome it – said Nikolić.
I am looking forward to the matches with Bulgaria
Due to a knee injury, Nikolić missed the July matches of the Montenegrin national team at the qualification tournament for the Olympic Games, but he expects to be available to the coach for the November cycle and the matches with Bulgaria in the Eurobasket qualifiers.
– Last summer I had problems with a knee injury. Fortunately, it was nothing serious, but I didn’t have time to recover when the preparations started. I was in contact with the selector Boško Radović, we made a joint decision. I would not be 100 percent ready for the qualifications, so I was spared, so that I would be ready for the new season – said Nikolić.
In February, in the first “window”, our team defeated Sweden and lost to Germany.
– I am very much looking forward to November – if we beat Bulgaria both times, we will qualify for the European Championship. Then we would be relieved in February. Although, it would be good if we try to beat Sweden away and Germany at home in February. That’s how we will grow in the FIBA ranking, so, in case of placement, we would also have an easier group at the European Championship. I believe that we are all looking forward to the gathering and that we will do our best to qualify – concluded Nikolić.
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Source: www.vijesti.me
