Twenty-year-old Nikola Vučević is counting his last days in the Budućnost Volija team, and the management of the Montenegrin champion is fighting against time and trying to keep him as long as possible. What is certain, the 16th pick from the last draft will be in the "blue" jersey on Sunday against Partizan, and in all likelihood it will be his farewell to the club whose colors he has been defending since August 21.
"Vucevic will certainly play against Partizan, and as far as Dexia is concerned, everything is questionable. We are doing everything in our power to keep Nikola for the match against the Belgians on Tuesday, so that he can travel to America on Wednesday. These two duels are extremely important to us and it would be good if we could count on him - Dragan Bokan, president of Budućnost Volija, told "Vijesti".
Although the chances of him playing on Tuesday against the Belgians are small, there is hope that it will happen.
"I need to talk to his manager Rado Filipović, who is in America and is preparing everything for Nikola to sign a contract with Philadelphia immediately upon his arrival. I will talk to him, we will try to find the best possible solution for both Nikola and the club. It will be difficult, we'll see what they do."
The administration of Podgorica is working intensively on finding a replacement for the representative of Montenegro.
"We have to step up, that's clear. Coach Dejan Radonjić and sports director Gavrilo Pajović are working on this issue every day. We are trying to find the best solution, to resolve Vučević's departure as painlessly as possible. We also have some contacts with managers from America and I expect that we will bring a new player in the near future. In my opinion, it will be difficult to make up for the departure of Vučević, who has shown great performances since joining our club. We expect Nikola to be a real ambassador for our club in America," Bokan concluded.
Vucevic has averaged 17,6 points, 10 rebounds, an assist, 1,2 steals and 1,1 blocks per match in nine games in the ABA League so far.
In the Eurocup, he had an average performance of 15 points, six caught balls, one stolen ball and a block in three duels.
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