Mike Tobey, the center for the Slovenian national team, touched on several topics with the media ahead of the match against Canada in the quarterfinals of the FIBA World Cup.
The Slovenian national team has advanced to the quarterfinals of the World Cup, led by Luka Doncic. However, they have received significant support from naturalized American center Mike Tobey, who has been wearing the Slovenian jersey for the past two years.
The new player of KK Crvena zvezda averages 12 points and 6.4 rebounds per game and particularly shone in the crucial game against Australia. Now, another significant challenge awaits Doncic, Tobey, and the Slovenian team as they face Canada in the quarterfinals.
“We know that Canada is a great team; they’ve had a fantastic tournament so far and have experienced players. They have big names, especially from the NBA. We’re excited because this is the quarterfinals. At this point, it’s win or go home, so we’ll give it our all.
We came here to win, and I believe we’ve shown that we’re a great team capable of competing with anyone in this tournament. Anything can happen,” Tobey said to “Eurohoops.”
The 28-year-old center agrees that Canada is one of the main contenders in the tournament, along with the USA, and the only two teams with a perfect 5-0 record so far, Germany and Lithuania.
“There are a lot of good teams. We played against Germany, and that wasn’t our best game, but at the same time, they are a very good team, especially if they can get Franz Wagner back. He’s an incredible player. You always have to consider the United States as a favorite, and if you say that, you have to give credit to Lithuania as well.
Canada, as mentioned, is playing great with a lot of talent. The teams I just mentioned will be the favorites, in my opinion, but I really think this is an open field.”
Tobey acquired Slovenian citizenship as part of the preparations for the 2020 Olympic Qualifying Tournaments and has since become a key player in Aleksander Sekulic’s team, showing excellent chemistry with his Slovenian teammates.
“It’s great; there’s incredible chemistry within this team. We show it on the court. How well we play together speaks to how comfortable we are with each other. The longer I’m here, the more I develop relationships with the guys, and every summer, I learn more about Slovenian culture. I need to work a bit on the language, but every summer, I feel closer and closer,” he added.
“He’s obviously amazing. He carried us the whole time; he was phenomenal, as always. He’s a big focus point for many teams; that’s what happens when you’re one of the best players in the world.”
Since Doncic finished his NBA season earlier than expected, he spent most of the summer in his native Slovenia, resting but also preparing for the World Cup and the upcoming season with the Mavericks. Tobey has noticed positive results.
“I would say I feel he’s a bit more rested. He seems fresh and in shape; he’s really taken care of his body and himself this summer. You can see it in his diet, in how he looks; he’s in much better shape.
In that aspect of his professionalism, I really see a big step forward. It seems like he’s more focused. It seems like both. I’ve already told friends and family. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be so famous, everyone constantly wants to talk to you.
Naturalized players are starting to have a more significant impact as time goes on. After the brilliant decision to grant Anthony Randolph citizenship just before EuroBasket 2017, which resulted in a gold medal, Slovenia made another clever move by adding Tobey as a naturalized player to the team. He has integrated well, and his importance to Sekulic’s plans is evident as he continues to play under the Slovenian flag.
More and more national teams are taking this approach, but there are also figures in the world of basketball who are against naturalized players, such as Iran’s head coach, Hakan Demir, who has clearly stated his stance on this issue.
“I understand both sides of the rule. As far as I’m concerned, I think it helps teams to be competitive. I’m sure in the future, more national teams will do this. Slovenia is showing that they are adding just one person to a position because there aren’t that many big guys in this generation. I think it can make a big difference and help small countries compete,” Tobey concluded.