The prestigious Nike Hoop Summit, held in Portland a few days ago, brought together the most talented basketball players from around the world. Among the future stars was the super-talented David Mirković from SC Derby - the nineteen-year-old winger was on the World Team, which was defeated 124:114 in a match against peers from the United States.
Mirkovic is in the match in Portland scored eight points in 15 minutes, with three rebounds and one assist and one block. And more importantly, he left a good impression, especially on the coaching staff. University of Illinois, which will be the next stop in the career of the teenager from Nikšić.
"The departure and the trip were unexpected, because I received the invitation later. I worked and was ready all year, I was waiting for such an opportunity. It's an incredible feeling to play there. The basketball world is different, I met new teammates. I think I left a good impression," Mirković told "Vijesti".
Mirković attended the event in Portland for the first time, but he has experience from similar events, as he attended the NBA camp in Indianapolis last year and also participated in EuroLeague tournaments.
"It means a lot to me. It's a good opportunity to see how much I've progressed, how I rate myself compared to other talented players my age. The camp in Indiana last year meant the most to me and this one in Portland now. I see myself in the US and that's why this will mean so much to me, to adapt even better when I go there," explained Mirković.
It was during his stay in America that it was announced that Mirković would be a member of the University of Illinois starting next season.
"I knew I would play for Illinois even before the information became official. I had a lot of offers, and I chose Illinois because of the minutes, the role I would have, but also because of Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivišić who would be there. I am constantly in contact with Tomislav and Zvonimir. I know them well, I can communicate with them in our language," says Mirković about his former teammates from SC Derby.
During his time in Portland, he also met Illinois coach Brad Underwood.
"After the game, I was with the head and assistant coaches. They were really happy with how I played."
College, Mirković points out, is just a stopover on the way to the biggest possible stage - the NBA.
"The plan and ultimate goal is the NBA. I think playing in college will just be a stepping stone towards that goal," said Mirković.
And besides David, Andrija Grbović from SC Derby is also going to college next season. The destination is Arizona.
"That was unexpected, I didn't expect him to go that way. He'll definitely do well, because Andrija is a good guy. I wish him luck," said Mirković.
Mirković is leaving for college after two seasons playing with the senior team SC Derbija in the AdmiralBet ABA League. This season, he is averaging nine points and 6,5 rebounds.
"Both this season and last season have been incredible experiences for me. Playing at this level at 17, 18, 19 years old against stronger and more mature players will mean a lot to me in the coming years in college, where I will be playing against guys who are younger than me, a year older or who are my age."
The SC Derby basketball player has passed all the junior national team categories, and in February he made his first appearance in the jersey of the Montenegrin national basketball team, in a match against Sweden in Stockholm in the Eurobasket qualifiers.
"It means a lot to me. I shared the locker room with our best basketball players. I didn't expect them to accept me so well. I returned the favor with them and those days with the national team were very nice," Mirković points out.
A season of ups and downs, but we are all more experienced for a year
SC Derbi secured survival in the AdmiralBet ABA League, but failed to make the playoffs. After 28 rounds, the “students” are 10-17, with a game in hand.
"This season has been full of ups and downs. But the team is much younger and less experienced than last year. I think the lack of experience is the main reason for some unexpected defeats. We have certainly all improved this season," said Mirković.
He also believes that the team deserved more support from the stands during matches in the ABA League.
"It's really strange to me, I can't come to terms with that fact. I watch some teams in other competitions, which always have full stadiums. This is the ABA League and a higher level. Even if the team doesn't have almost all the guys from Montenegro, the stadium should always be full," concludes David Mirković.
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