BOGOLJUB MARKOVIĆ: “I’M REALLY HAPPY TO BE PART OF MEGA”

Young basketball player from Mega, Bogoljub Marković, marked Round 22 of the ABA League with a fantastic performance and deservedly won the MVP title for this round of the regional competition. The 19-year-old center scored 27 points in Mega’s victory over the favored Budućnost team, and in addition, he had five rebounds, four assists, and two blocks for a total efficiency index of 34, being the most responsible for the 11th win of the youngest team in Europe, which is led by coach Marko Barać from the bench.

Marković once again drew attention to himself after being named the regional competition’s MVP in September and October.

“Budućnost is certainly stronger than us in terms of player quality. But our style of play is very specific because we can challenge even the strongest teams and cause serious problems. Jogi Ferel did not play for Budućnost, and we knew that was our chance. Coach Barać instilled this way of thinking in us during the preparation for this duel, that we too can make an impact, which allowed us to enter the game with a positive mindset. In the end, it all paid off. The key was excellent team play. We had very good ball movement on offense and were aware that from good defense, we could gain extra confidence and play in transition, which is our strongest weapon,” Marković summarized the impressions after Mega’s big win.

He modestly commented on the MVP recognition:

“I owe a lot of gratitude to the coach for his trust and to my teammates for their support. Everything is a result of that team play from which I managed to get the most. I had a lot of playing time, but I was ready. This time it was me, and in another game, it will surely be someone else, and as long as we play this kind of team basketball, everything will be fine.”

Marković joined Mega from Sloboda Užice in the summer of 2021 at the age of 16. Before basketball, he played soccer. When he suddenly grew tall, he was moved to the goalkeeper position, but he never wanted to be a goalkeeper. He left football and, with the support of his father, who was also a basketball player, he moved to the basketball court.

With Mega’s juniors, he shone, winning the EuroLeague title in 2022, as well as three ABA League titles, and his move to OKK Beograd was also a good decision, where last season he had the opportunity to gain experience in senior competition:

“That really helped me a lot because I could properly prepare for what awaited me this season in the ABA League, which is extremely competitive. Although it was my first time facing senior basketball, I had a very significant role last season in OKK Beograd. Coach Vule Avdalović gave me a lot of help, and I think that without that experience and the minutes I had in the KLS, I wouldn’t have been able to play in the ABA League at this level. That’s another confirmation of the correctness and effectiveness of the system established at Mega,” says Marković, continuing to talk about Mega’s work with young players:

“There is an excellent relationship between everyone in the club and the players. This creates a special kind of trust, and you can feel the commitment of all the coaches at every single practice, which is why each of us tries to get the most out of ourselves. We are constantly encouraged to work with a professional approach and top conditions. We learn to use our speed and, above all, to have the confidence to take shots that some other players might not take. I think that helps us develop the fastest at this stage of our careers. That’s why I’m very happy to be part of a collective like Mega.”

Marković’s enormous potential has not gone unnoticed by Serbia’s national team coach Svetislav Pešić, who has already called him up twice for the national team during the qualifiers for the upcoming European Championship, as well as by NBA talent scouts. Marković will be a participant in the famous Nike Hoop Summit, which will be held in Portland on April 12.

“I believe it will be a great experience. I’ve already had the opportunity to participate in such camps. Two years ago, in February, I was in Salt Lake City, and then at the famous camp in Treviso. I know what to expect, so I’m going to gather as much knowledge as possible and show what I can do.”

Interestingly, Marković will be the 16th Serbian basketball player to be part of the World Team that will face the best young players from the USA, and the third from Mega. Before him, Nikola Jokić and Kostja Mušidi participated in the Nike Hoop Summit, as did the current general manager of Mega, Goran Ćakić. The list is completed by: Jovo Stanojević, Igor Rakočević, Vladimir Radmanović, Luka Bogdanović, Dragan Labović, Milenko Tepić, Boban Marjanović, Milan Mačvan, Dejan Musli, Aleksandar Cvetković, Stefan Peno, Boriša Simanić, and Marko Pecarski.

“I am aware that everyone will know I come from a club where Nikola Jokić grew up, but I really don’t feel any additional pressure. The fact that I’ve been invited is already a big plus for me, so I don’t see what I have to lose, and because of that, there is no fear. I will try to present Serbian basketball, Mega, and myself in the best possible light,” concluded Marković.

When it comes to the future, Marković does not make long-term plans.

“Usually, when young players talk about this topic, they mention EuroLeague teams, the NBA… I don’t think like that. One thing is what I want, and another is what I can do at this moment. The only thing that’s certain is that we have eight more games left in the ABA League, and we will fight for the playoffs. There is still a lot of work and hard training ahead of me to improve my game. My goal is certainly the NBA one day, but nothing like that is currently in focus except finishing the season in the best possible way and getting Mega into the playoffs,” concluded Marković.

Photo: Mega Superbet