01 November, 2022
21 May, 2023
23/02/2023
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Powerhouse from Bosnia and Herzegovina ready to take on new U18 challenge

 Bosnia and Herzegovina club Igokea m:tel has been a powerhouse domestically both in the senior and youth competitions. And after competing three seasons in the Basketball Champions League, Igokea will also be playing in the first edition of the YBCL.

"This is a great thing. It’s an honor to be involved in the first edition of the Youth BCL since we have already played in the BCL for the last three years with the first team. I think this will be a celebration of youth basketball. This is very important for the young players but also for the clubs in the development of their players. We want to come and compete and see how the other teams are because we don’t know them. I hope we just give our best and the players are relaxed because I know they can do things."

- Vuk Radivojevic, Igokea sports director

 

History of the Program | Domestic Success

U19
BIH | 1st place 2017-18, 2021-22
Junior ABA | 3rd place 2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21, 2021-22

 

U17
BIH | 1st place 2018-19, 2021-22, 3rd place 2017-18

 

Recent Youth Developments

The youth ranks have been able to use the former first team gym Aleksandrovac since the Laktasi Sports Hall was opened in 2010. Four years ago, the club opened an apartment complex for 20 young players in the club, including a kitchen and 15 rooms. The youth players also have their own weight room. Igokea also has been able to recruit top youth talents away from bigger places, including signing both Ognjen Stanković and Ognjen Radosic from Belgrade. In addition, Igokea will be hosting the 2022-23 Junior (U19) ABA League Final Four.

 

YBCL Player to Watch

Ognjen Stanković | 2005 | PG

Igokea just recently signed Stanković away from Partizan Belgrade. The point guard played for Serbia at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2022 and averaged 11.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, a tournament-best 5.4 assists and 2.4 steals. The Belgrade native came up through the Partizan system and played two seasons in the U18 ANGT competition with the Serbian club. Stanković will be playing mainly for the first team. He has a good character and a good basketball body with length and athleticism. Stanković has excellent leadership skills as playmaker and uses his good height (2.00 meters) to excel at it.

 

Program Alumni

Dalibor Ilić | Kosta Kondić | Darko Talić

Ilić spent several years with Igokea, honing his skills and developing his talent in the club's youth program. He quickly established himself as one of the most promising players in the region and was even named captain of the Serbian junior national team, leading them to a the title at the FIBA U18 European Championship 2018.

 

Dalibor Ilić played for two seasons in the BCL and finished third in the Best Young Player award in 2020-21.