Andrija Jelavic has already experienced the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament but he cannot wait to play for the pink of U18 Mega Mozzart Belgrade at the ANGT Finals and take the next step in his career.
ANGT Finals: Jelavic can't wait to compete in Mega pink
Article
3 Mins read
Jelavic signed with Mega about two weeks before the ANGT Finals, joining the club from Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, with whom he played at the ANGT Belgrade in the 2020-21 season.
"Last year's tournament was a great experience that will help me be even better this year," said Jelavic, who averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.5 steals at the qualifier in the Serbian capital.
"I learned a lot because I was playing against great teams and great players who were one year older than me and taught me to play faster and stronger. That's why I think I'm ready to play much better than last year and hopefully will achieve great results with Mega."
The 17-year-old Croatian called signing with Mega the biggest success thus far in his career. Jelavic is a late bloomer who didn't start playing basketball until 2018. Competing against Mega at the 2020-21 ANGT Belgrade made him want to play in the Serbian capital – in part because of the club's distinctive color.
"When I first saw Mega at last year's ANGT, they instantly caught my attention – the pink jerseys, the fast-play style, tall players playing as playmakers and shooting threes," the 2.04-meter forward said. "They really played modern basketball, similar to the NBA. And that's why I wanted to play for them."
Mega's history of developing top-level talent was another reason for him to head to Serbia.
"The best thing about Mega for me personally is that they are giving young players a chance to be the leaders of the senior team, and they have the best training program for young players. I think Mega is the best place for a young player like me to become a great player one day," Jelavic said.
But right now, the focus is on helping Mega at the ANGT Finals. And Jelavic believes Mega is a worthy recipient of a wild card for the competition after taking sixth place at the ANGT Belgrade in February.
"I think Mega deserved a wild card for the ANGT Finals because they have achieved some huge successes back in 2017 and 2019 (both times reaching the ANGT Championship Game)," he said. "And the Mega team was not complete during the Belgrade qualifying tournament. I think a complete Mega team is an excellent team with excellent players, and I'm looking forward to showing that at this year's ANGT Finals."
Despite only just joining the team, Jelavic is confident of Mega's chances in Belgrade.
"I think there will be no problems because the whole team is maximally focused and I think we are serious candidates for great results at this year's ANGT finals," he said.