5 Reasons why you should watch Serbian BasketballBy Vijay Sule
In the world of basketball, Serbia has become a force to be reckoned with, and through their combined passion, skills and emerging talents they appeal to fans from all over the globe. The country's basketball scene is not just about the game; it's a celebration of culture, national pride, and living proof of the unwavering spirit of its people. This article will examine five major arguments as to why Serbian basketball should be paid more attention to and respected. From the passion of the die-hard fans that give every game the indescribable atmosphere to the supreme performance that has placed Serbia on the global basketball map, there is a lot to learn. We take a look into the remarkable record of talent, both experienced and up-and-coming, which are always bringing the sport to greater heights both within the country and on international stages. Furthermore, the success of women's basketball in Serbia and the excellence of the two-time MVP Nikola Jokić, from a humble beginning to NBA stardom, show that Serbian basketball has tremendous depth and diversity. Let us uncover the causes of Serbian basketball becoming international, a story full of success, talent and unconditional love for the game.
1. The Fans
Without a doubt this is the biggest appeal to their style of Basketball. The fans in Serbia are far more than your average viewer. The fans are extreme, following an organized pattern of cheering while supporting their team through various chants. The support of the fans extends beyond the top teams, KK Crvena Zvezda and Partizan, and is even seen throughout the Serbian leagues in clubs such as KK Joker, FMP, KK Mega Bemax.
Recently, the supporters of Crvena Zvezda (Red Star) and Partizan, the two premier clubs, have gained significant attention on social media. The clash between these rival teams, combined with the high caliber of basketball played, is nothing short of a spectacle.
Historically, the rivalry of Red Star Belgrade and Partizan dates back to their creation in 1945 and has been marked by the so-called Eternal derby (Red Star Belgrade vs Partizan games) ever since. The heart of the Serbian basketball scene is dominated by the rivalry between the two major clubs extending beyond the sporting world and evolving into a genuine cultural phenomenon embodying the sheer magnitude of passion and loyalty displayed. This rivalry represents a mixture of the emotional intensity and the unbeatable spirit that Serbia’s sports fandom is known for; it is the fans who have always remained at the heart of this epic tale. Since the very early years of their life, Serbians profess their loyalty to one of the two teams, a choice that practically never changes, often mirroring family traditions, social values, and political dynamics within the country. Their unique enthusiasm is nothing short of a show all by itself, especially when it comes to the Eternal derby where one can only be amazed by the energy in the arena. This passionate support gives the players invaluable strength as the whole stadium becomes one big 'twelfth man' which, through their chants of encouragement and their aggressive emotional displays, has the power to influence the outcome of games. This community alliance between the fans and players is one of its kind, building a psychological edge that can be decisive during a game. It is fascinating that at the World Cup or other international competitions where the players and fans of both teams unite under the Serbian flag, even the most formidable rivals exhibit a very high level of team spirit, unity and talent. This duality of intense rivalry and national camaraderie highlights the complex, yet beautiful, nature of Serbian basketball culture.
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2. The Quality of Basketball
As time goes on, Basketball and Serbia are becoming synonymous terms and this can only be attributed to its Basketball Quality, a notion that the National team exemplifies. Being winners of three European Championships (and probably many more to come), the Serbian National team has cemented itself as one of the best Basketball Nations in the World. This was highlighted in their run in the most recent Basketball World Cup in which their team came second place. Despite having most of their stars missing during the World Cup, the team managed to put on a stellar performance. While their National team boasts success on every stage, a large contributor to this is their pool of talent. From NBA to Euroleague MVPs, Serbia has no shortage of great basketball players. The Nation currently has 6 active NBA players, including the NBA Champion and Finals MVP Nikola Jokic, Boban Marjanovic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Rising stars Aleksej Pokuševski, Nikola Jovic and former Euroleague MVP Vasilije Micić.
Serbian Basketball and the NBA have a long-standing tradition which goes back to 1989 when Vlade Divac became the first Serbian player to join the league.
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3. Incoming Talent
Given the success of their national team and active NBA players, Serbia has become a breeding ground for young talent. This has largely been attributed to the Club KK Mega Bemax. The club is now the most successful in terms of NBA players drafted from European teams. The team itself is like no other, combining young NBA talent with Serbian veterans and International players. Along with its stints in the Adriatic League (ABA liga) the team serves as the ideal location for a player to get exposure and increase their NBA draft stock. Along with being consistent performers in the ABA liga while often making the playoffs, their wins against bigger clubs such as Zvezda and Partizan are what make the team more unique.
While Mega Bemax is a great example of upcoming talent, the management of the youth system of Serbian Basketball is also commendable. Each club has junior teams with opportunities to play for the men’s sides creating an atmosphere and program for success. The best example was by Crvena Zvezda which signs young players at ages 16 for their men’s teams while allowing them to be exposed to the professional environment.
Andrej Kostic, Zvezda’s rising basketball star; Image Courtesy of MaxBet Sport
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Nikola Topic, Zvezda’s rising basketball star; Image Courtesy of NBA Draft Latest
4. Women’s Set-Up
Despite the success of the Men’s national team and professional leagues, they cannot fully overshadow the success of the women’s teams. While winning the European Championship twice and coming third in the World Cup once, Women’s Basketball in Serbia shows many signs of success. The women’s professional league is run by the national federation and has become one of the best leagues in the world.
The success of the women’s set-up has also been seen in the WNBA where Serbia has had many players, particularly Ana Dabović who has even won a WNBA championship.
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5. The Joker
Nikola Jokic is arguably the best player in the world today. From his humble beginnings in Serbia to his eventual entry into the NBA, his story has been nothing short of inspiring and heart-warming.
From his interview as a young prospect in 2014, he himself did not think of playing in the NBA and was not a highly touted draft prospect. Despite his draft selection being missed due to a famous commercial, his success and growth in the NBA cannot be overseen.From All-Star Selections to league MVPs, Player of the Month Awards and countless accolades, his play style and mindset to the game makes him an asset to the NBA. From the unreal passes to game winners and playoff runs, the Joker is nothing short of pure entertainment every time he steps on the court.
Despite his NBA success, his life in Serbia makes him a very interesting individual. From videos of his off season of celebration to his love for horse racing, the Joker becomes an individual who is hard to hate. The same can be said by the contributions he makes to Serbian Basketball. While being a regular player for the National Team, he is also a successful team owner. Last season, his Basketball Team KK Joker qualified for the first Serbian division and is currently in the top 8.
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To conclude, Serbian Basketball is on the rise and will continue to do so for years to come and I hope this article has given you some insight and reasons to closely follow the nation and its success.
All views expressed in this article are the author’s own, and may not reflect the opinions of N/A Magazine. Edited by Ana Sunjka. Posted Friday 23rd February 2024.