Last season’s ABA League MVP, Luka Bozic, spoke with Basketball Sphere about various topics with a focus on his club, Zadar.
Luka Bozic played for Široki Brijeg in the 2021/2022 season. He accepted the invitation from coach Danijel Jusup, and they came very close to bringing that club into the ABA League. A few months later, Jusup returned to Zadar for the sixth time in his career, bringing Bozic with him.
Twelve months later, this collaboration proved to be a “winning combination.” Zadar won the domestic championship and secured a spot in the ABA League quarterfinals, with Bozic being named the MVP of the regional competition.
Bozic’s dominance in the past season is best illustrated by his average of 22 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game.
The job is not finished
Impressive performances by the Bjelovar-born basketball player recommended him to numerous European clubs. But his decision in the end was to sign a new contract with Zadar and try to make progress compared to the previous season.
“I extended my contract with the club because I believe I can still improve in Zadar. I also consider the fact that the job is not finished here. There were better offers on the table, and I may be undervalued in Zadar, but none of them were significantly better to make me leave a club where I feel quite comfortable.” – Bozic emphasized at the beginning of the interview with Basketball Sphere.
Zadar has had a fantastic season behind them, which is a clear indication that Danijel Jusup’s team will have no less ambition in the upcoming one.
“I think the ambitions remain the same as last year. We don’t talk about ultimate goals. The sole focus is to enter each game with maximum concentration and commitment and to achieve the best possible result.” – Bozic stated.
MVP award stays in the past
Entering the new season as the reigning MVP of the ABA League is undoubtedly impressive, but it also brings a certain level of responsibility.
“I was the MVP last season, so that stays in the past. That recognition has nothing to do with the upcoming season. I was genuinely pleased to be named MVP. Now I have new challenges ahead.”
It seems that Bozic thrives the most when playing under the coaching guidance of coach Jusup, who is considered a true legend of the club. The Croatian coach achieved great results with Bozic in Siroki two seasons ago, and that success continued when they returned to Zadar.
“The coach is very responsible for my good performances. He gives players freedom, breaks the mold, plays modern basketball that few play today, and I am really grateful to him for that. He treats us like a father, takes care of our nutrition, where we live, tries to solve all our problems, and that is truly a rarity today.”
As a reminder, Jusup is the only coach who managed to bring the ABA League championship title to Zadar (season 2002/2003).
Partizan and Crvena Zvezda can win the Euroleague
We asked Bozic about who he considers the favorite to win the ABA League next season, but our interviewee chose not to make early predictions.
“The favorites are the clubs that play in the EuroLeague, but I don’t have a crystal ball, so I couldn’t predict anything.”
Partizan and Crvena Zvezda have once again assembled teams that, at the very least, are contenders for the EuroLeague playoffs, a sentiment shared by Luka Bozic. The Croatian international even believes that the “eternal rivals” have a chance to reach the pinnacle of European basketball.
“I believe they can go all the way and win it. Partizan came very close last season, and this year both teams are even stronger. I wish them a lot of luck and success in the EuroLeague.” – Bozic concluded.