May 21, 2012
Bojan Dubljevic, Buducnost Voli
Bojan Dubljevic - Buducnost VoliThe future is now for Buducnost Voli big man Bojan Dubljevic, who will need to step up in the Last 16 to help the Montenegrin powerhouse continue to move on through the Eurocup season. Dubljevic was an important role player in the regular season, but more will be expected of him now just as the team prepares to face even tougher competition. Through five games in Group H, the 20-year-old averaged double figures in scoring and was ranked ninth in the Eurocup with an average of 0.62 points per minute. And his 62.5% two-point shooting was 12th in the competition. However the departure of Nikola Vucevic and the arrival of Eurocup champion Hasan Rizvic figures to shake things up in the Buducnost frontcourt. If Dubljevic is able to take the next step in his progress now, the future will be wide open.

Those in the know have seen Dubljevic grow as a player from summer to summer with his dominating performances with Montenegro’s junior national teams, with whom he has spent the past four summers. He averaged a double-double (15.5 points, 10.3 rebounds) in capturing a bronze medal at the 2009 European Under-18 Championships – Division B in Sarajevo. A year later he was an impact player at the U-20 European Championships in Croatia as his team reached the quarterfinals and Dubljevic ranked among the top 10 in scoring and rebounding and drew more fouls than any other player.

Last summer Dubljevic stood out among the very best and joined three current Euroleaguers – Nikola Mirotic of Spain and Real Madrid, Furkan Aldemir of Turkey and Galatasray Medical Park and Alessandro Gentile of Italy and EA7 Emporio Armani Milan – on the All-Tournament Team after ranking second in scoring (22.4 ppg.) and third in rebounding (9.7 rpg.). One skill that set him apart from the rest was his awesome offensive rebounding. His relentless effort led to a lot of easy second-chance baskets and of course gave his teammates confidence in shooting knowing that Dubljevic was there to help fix the damage if they missed.

“I’m happy with my performance there,” Dubljevic said looking back at the tournament in Bilbao, Spain. “It really helped me improve a lot. There were a lot of good players there that I went against. It gave me more experience which will help me throughout my career.”

Bojan Dubljevic - Buducnost VoliDubljevic grew up with Ibon Niksic and moved to Buducnost before the 2009-10 season, during which he played on loan with Lovcen Cetinje. He moved back to Buducnost for the 2010-11 season and played in the Euroleague Qualifying Round, Eurocup, Adriatic League and Montenegrin League. As a teenager and a part-time starter in the Eurocup, Dubljevic showed he belonged. In fact, after adjusting in the first two games, he posted 9 points on 65.2% shooting and 4.5 rebounds – 2.5 of them on the offensive end – in the last four games.

Before the current season Dubljevic signed a two-year extension with Buducnost until 2013. “One of the reasons was the relationship with the coach. I really like coach Dejan Radonjic. I know that he works well and works hard to make us better,” said Dubljevic of the extension. “I know I can improve here. I like Buducnost, they always have a young team where I can get a lot of playing time. So it will be good for me to stay here.”

Dubljevic’s first goal has already been accomplished – reaching the second round of the Eurocup. He would also like to help Buducnost to a top six finish in the Adriatic League. “I just want to improve as much as I can and try to help the team and do what the coach asks me to do. Whatever that is I will do it. I don’t really have any specific goals other than to help the team win,” said Dubljevic.

When asked about the future he said: “I am focused on Buducnost. I want to help the team win as much as I can. Just improve every day and when my contract is up or maybe sooner see if I can go to a bigger club and do bigger things. But I am happy right now with where I am here. “
Friday, January 13, 2012
David Hein, Eurocupbasketball.com
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