May 24, 2012
Vladimir Dasic, Buducnost Podgorica
Vladimir DasicAs the second qualifying round of the Eurocup begins next week, one team aspiring to reach the regular season will take extra care to make sure that wet spots don't collect on the court. That's because Buducnost Podgorica hangs some of its hopes on a super young talent, Vladimir Dasic, who might just as easily be competing in a swimming pool. Dasic, a 20-year-old power forward, exploded last season to become a force for Buducnost and a great hope for basketball in tiny Montenegro. But it could have been much different. Buducnost's gain has been a loss for the sport of water polo, in which Dasic also excelled. And being a water polo star in Montenegro is no laughing matter: the men's national team is the reigning European champion, as are the juniors. Dasic very possibly could have been a member of one of those sides if he had followed on that path. "I played water polo for three years, and in my last year my club won the Montenegrin title for our age," Dasic explained to Eurocup.com. "It was my first sports success. I was on the same team with Aleksandar Radovic, who is now member of our national team. I am definitely sure that I would be with him now if I had continued with water polo."

Dasic's love for the water came from his mother, who grew up in the coastal town Bijela. But with Vladimir being raised in Podgorica, it was only a matter of time before he caught basketball fever. "I began to practice basketball at a club named Moraca, which was led by Dragan Ivanovic, the brother of Tau Ceramica head coach Dusko Ivanovic," he says. "I never played football or any other sport. Basketball became my dream and I played it always after my school work was finished." Dasic spent two years at that club before his great potential resulted in some bigger name clubs calling. "I took my first basketball title in Montenegro when I played on loan for Anagustum, a club from Niksic," he recalled. "They took me for that tournament's final. After that I started to practice with Buducnost."

Vladimir Dasic - BuducnostThe move to Buducnost resulted in Dasic winning more trophies than he has years. In fact he has amassed 21 titles over his young career. "I know it's hard to believe, but in previous years, I played for my age group as well as for one or two older then mine in the same season, so in one year I took three medals," Dasic explained. "Vlado Scepanovic was one player that I liked to watch. I've heard some people compare me with Toni Kukoc or my namesake, Vladimir Radmanovic. All of that is very nice to hear, but I play basketball to establish myself as someone that other players will be compared to."

Dasic has proved he has the potential to be a special player, too. Over the summer, he was the leader on coach Dejan Radonjic's Montengrin under-20 team that finished fifth at the European championship, leading the tournament in both scoring (22.9 ppg.) and steals (2.6 spg.) in addition to collecting 8.9 rebounds per contest. Dasic then stepped up with some big games against grown men, earning a roster spot and then playing time from head coach Dusko Vujosevic on the senior national team. That set the stage for him to take over as Buducnost's go-to guy this season in the Adriatic League.

Vladimir Dasic - Buducnost"I have to say that this season has been the best in my professional career," Dasic said. "The team is great. Our new players are very good. We've had an excellent start by winning four of our first five games [in the Adriatic League]. The upcoming Eurocup [qualifying] games against Galatasaray Cafe Crown will be decisive for our season. I expect that we will show our character. But we are preparing ourselves only for one game – always the next game. If we can perform a miracle and eliminate Galatasaray, we will then look for more."

Dasic is now the established leader for Buducnost and the club simply isn't the same without him. Despite his age, Dasic seems to understand the essence of the game like a tested veteran. "I take great pleasure in victories," he says. "When my team wins and I put in all my effort, I am the happiest. I want to win every game to improve myself and to contribute so that my team can achieve great things. I live for victory."
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Milivoje Kovacevic, Podgorica
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