By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
Nikola Vucevic is a typical “like father, like son” case, however the second generation is much more successful. The 24 years old center of Magic has already secured the starter position in his team and he is the product of a basketball family.
His father, Borislav, had a long professional career which included him being a member of the Yugoslavian national team and a European cup back in 1979 as a member of Bosna Sarajevo.
His 6ft3 mother, was also a national team member playing center for Zeljeznicar Sarajevo. Nikola was born in Sweden in 1990, spend some years in Belgium – where his father was playing – and he played college basketball in the University of Southern California.
His talent was obvious, he was the no16 pick in the 2011 draft, selected by the Sixers, but ending up in Orlando one year later. After his first season he was part of the Dwight Howard trade and since 2012 he is wearing Magic’s jersey.
However, this season was his break out party. He had 14.2 ppg, 11 rpg and almost 1 bpg in 31.8 mpg. Eurohoops had the chance to meet him at Milan, during the Euroleague final four and as he said this is just the start. He wants to be an All Star and be part of Orlando Magic’s history, provided that the two sides end up with a deal for his extension.
He has high hopes and one advice for every European player who wants to play in the NBA: Get to school, since NCAA according to him is the best path to the NBA.
– You had a great season and you are still very young. What more you can do in the future?
“My goal is to be one day an NBA All Star. I like what I am doing. I enjoy it and I really love to work. I know that I have developed my skills, but I also know which things I have to improve in order to round up my game. I want to be effective in the highest level, I want to be equal with the best players of the league”.
– Why players like you and others from Europe have such a quick development in comparison with players that stay in Europe? What’s the difference? It has to do with the time spend for individual training in the summer, the different mentality in coaching staffs?
“It’s a combination of things and what you are saying is a reality. First of all the competition level is higher both in games and in practice. If for example, a European player goes to Miami, how he can’t get better by guarding every day in practice Lebron James? Practices and player development has to do with data and everything is done properly in order to develop a player’s body, his skills and also prepare him mentally. It’s also a fact that NBA teams wants for you to improve individually, they are really interested on that and that’s how things work”.
– Your experience in college helped you prepare for the NBA and have this impressive season in Orlando, without needing much time to adapt?
“Of course! In my case that’s the most important thing of all. You may be 18 years old, sign with Barcelona or an other big club in Europe and then you just don’t play, because those teams have to win every game. On the contrary, college helps you get from the NCAA level to the NBA by gaining experience and playing time every season, in a really competitive league. If a European player wants to be in the NBA, college can really help him to do so and experience this process”.
– There are European players in the NBA who had a long career and were constantly moving from team to team and others who were identified with only one franchise. What’s you dream?
“If everything goes as I hope they will, it will be a great pleasure and joy to stay for many years in Orlando. We have a young team, full of potential and ambitions. We have a great support by our fans and our city. Our owner is great, the general manager and the coach, everyone. For me everything is perfect in Orlando. If we can make a deal for my extension for many more season, then yes, I would love to fight for my dreams as a player of Orlando Magic”.