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ANGT Zadar, Blog: NGT Zadar outlasts Cedevita 68-81 for 3rd place

U18 Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v U18 Next Generation Team Zadar (2023-03-05T13:30:00.000Z)

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ANGT Zadar, Blog: Maccabi over Zadar 91-59 for 5th place

U18 Maccabi Tel Aviv v U18 Zadar (2023-03-05T11:15:00.000Z)



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ANGT Zadar, Blog: Helsinki tops Stellazzurra 84-92 for 7th place

U18 Stellazzurra Rome v U18 Helsinki Basketball Academy (2023-03-05T09:00:00.000Z)

Michael Ruzic failed to meet his own expectations in the first game of the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament Zadar. Then he bounced back and had one of the best games of the event. 

Zadar talent Ruzic making sure he gets up after struggles

Michael Ruzic failed to meet his own expectations in the first game of the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament Zadar. Then he bounced back and had one of the best games of the event. That was just the latest example of the U18 Zadar talent getting back after going through a tough experience.

In Zadar’s opening game against U18 Next Generation Team Zadar, Ruzic made just 2 of 10 shots and scored 6 points after being chosen before the tournament as the club’s player to watch. The next game against U18 Helsinki Basketball Academy, Ruzic made 10 of 13 shots and 9 of 9 free throws in scoring 29 points to go with 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks for an index rating of 41 in a 92-67 victory.

"It was a poor performance. I just realized that I put unnecessary pressure on myself to perform well. Overnight I just reset myself to relax, stay composed and don’t live in the past. And that resulted in a best performance," said Ruzic, who also went for 23 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks in the team’s final group game against U18 FC Barcelona.

The name Ruzic is not a new one at Europe’s highest level; his father Tomislav Ruzic played four seasons in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague from 2000-01 to 2004-05 with Zadar, Cibona Zagreb and ASVEL Villeurbanne.

"He did tell me stories but I don’t really remember them because I was really young. But he shares his experience with me. He’s always giving me advice before games and sharing his wisdom and I will always be thankful for that," said Ruzic about his father, who played 53 games in the EuroLeague as well as 51 games during four seasons in the 7DAYS EuroCup - including 2008 to 2010 for Zadar and as late as 2013-14 for Besiktas Istanbul.

"You may get knocked down, but keep moving because it’s never about how you fall but how you get back up."

The younger Ruzic was born in Besancon, France, while his father was playing for Besancon Basket in 2006-07. Michael also lived in Antalya, Turkey, when his father played for Bld Antalya in 2007-08.

The victory was Zadar’s first in the ANGT in 14 years dating back to the 2008-09 season. The last time the Croatian club participated in the tournament was the 2009-10 campaign at the ANGT London. And now Ruzic and his teammates have the chance to compete on the biggest stage at home.

“It feels great that we can play on our home court in front of our home fans because it’s a really special feeling," he said.

Ruzic is having a strong season for Zadar’s second team in the second division. But it came after one of the biggest disappointments in his young career.

He averaged 7.0 points and 5.4 rebounds playing for Croatia at the FIBA U16 European Championship 2022. But the team finished 14th and was relegated to Division B for this summer.

"I learned a lot. No matter how bad things get, no matter how many bad things happen you must always rise above that and continue moving forward. You may get knocked down, but keep moving because it’s never about how you fall but how you get back up," he said.

Ruzic said he returned to Zadar having lost a lot of weight and with an injury that hampered the start of this season. But it was that stick-to-it attitude that got him back on track.

"I stayed focused. I just worked hard and I was able to show my talent and potential in the Croatian B division and thanks to my coaches and the staff I was able to do that," said Ruzic who is averaging 6.2 points and 3.7 rebounds this season for Jazine.

And now Ruzic has another high point to look back on as he moves forward.

Zadar talent Ruzic making sure he gets up after struggles 

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ANGT Zadar, Blog: U18 Barcelona 78-70 U18 Zadar

U18 FC Barcelona v U18 Zadar (2023-03-04T19:15:00.000Z)

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ANGT Zadar, Blog: U18 Helsinki 64-93 U18 NGT Zadar

U18 Helsinki Basketball Academy v U18 Next Generation Team Zadar (2023-03-04T17:00:00.000Z)

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ANGT Zadar, Blog: U18 Cedevita 70-82 U18 Zaragoza

U18 Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana v U18 Casademont Zaragoza (2023-03-04T14:45:00.000Z)

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ANGT Zadar, Blog: U18 Stellazzurra 75-96 U18 Maccabi

U18 Stellazzurra Rome v U18 Maccabi Tel Aviv (2023-03-04T12:30:00.000Z)

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ANGT Zadar, Blog: U18 NGT Zadar 76-85 U18 Barcelona

U18 Next Generation Team Zadar v U18 FC Barcelona (2023-03-04T10:15:00.000Z)