By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A big challenge is approaching for the senior national team of Montenegro. Heading to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga, a chance for the country’s debut in the basketball tournament of the Olympic Games arises.
Follow all the action of the Olympics qualifiers with Courtside 1891 on DAZN
On Thursday, the Basketball Federation of Montenegro revealed the preliminary list of head coach Bosko Radovic for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Among the 17 players called up by Radovic, Nikola Vucevic of the Chicago Bulls stands out as the lone NBA player.
Filip Andjusic (Podgorica), Vasilije Bacovic (SC Derby), Luka Bogavac (SC Derby), Igor Drobnjak (SC Derby), Emir Hadzibegovic (SC Derby), Aleksa Ilic (Spartak Office Shoes), Jovan Kljajic (Gran Canaria), Zoran Nikolic (Vojvodina MTS), Kendrick Perry (Unicaja), Petar Popovic (Buducnost VOLI), Jonah Radebaugh (UCAM Murcia), Dino Radoncic (FC Bayern Munich), Andrija Slavkovic (Buducnost VOLI), Marko Simonovic (Besiktas Emlakjet), Zoran Vuceljic (SC Derby), and Fedor Zugic (BG Gottingen) are the remaining selections.
With players in Podgorica, the training camp starts on June 15.
At Riga, Montenegro faces Brazil and Cameroon on July 2 and 3, respectively. Ranking first or second in a three-team group would clinch a berth to the next stage. Host Latvia, Georgia, and the Philippines are the potential opponents with the Semifinals scheduled for July 6 and the Final on July 7.
Progressing to the Olympic Games, the six-team tournament winner joins Group B of the preliminary round alongside hosting France, Germany, and Japan. Those games are set to be played in Stade Pierre-Mauroy from July 27 to August 2.