Nemanja Vranjes, a long-time Mornar player, spoke with Basketball Sphere about various topics during the interview.
Nemanja Vranjes has been through a lot in his career. During his early days, he played in Bosnia and Herzegovina for Hercegovac Bileca and Borac Banja Luka. Later, he spent some time in Sutjeska and Buducnost before signing with third club from Montenegro where he plays even today.
Vranjes found his “peace” in Bar, where he arrived in 2017. The experienced basketball player is entering his seventh season wearing the Mornar jersey, having extended his contract a month ago.
“The fact that I’ve been with Mornar for seven years says enough about how great it is to be part of this club. And when I add that I am the team captain, it’s a real privilege for me to be part of all this. These seven years have been the best seven years in the club’s history. The club doesn’t function like other teams; there’s a true family atmosphere here.
It really is like that, and I think it’s recognized throughout Europe. Because of this way of functioning, Mornar has garnered a lot of sympathy. Players with NBA and EuroLeague experience have come to our club, which speaks to the fact that a good reputation goes a long way. Bar is truly a wonderful city. I live here with my family, and I plan to continue living here after my basketball career. So, you could say that all the pieces have fallen into place.”
”Those were basketball holidays”
During his time with Mornar, Vranjes enjoyed considerable success. In the 2017/18 season, he won the Montenegrin championship title, participated in the ABA League playoffs twice, and reached the EuroCup top 16.
“You’re absolutely right. I was part of a generation that achieved fantastic results. It’s truly an unforgettable experience, and I’m not just talking about the domestic championship and the ABA League but also in Europe. Mornar participated in the EuroCup, and we defeated some big teams. I believe those triumphs will forever be engraved in the club’s history.
Our fans had the opportunity to witness European giants live, and undoubtedly, my favorite memory is winning the Montenegrin League. We clinched it against the seemingly untouchable Buducnost, who had won the ABA League that year and secured a spot in the EuroLeague. Those were the basketball holidays.”
The start of the ABA League is approaching, and several teams have once again assembled good rosters. Vranjes is aware of how tough the competition is, and he’s realistic about Mornar’s goals.
“As for the upcoming season, we need to be realistic. The primary goal is to secure survival as soon as possible because it will be easier for all of us. The ABA League is incredibly strong. We don’t need to say much about the ‘eternal’ rivals; they are two teams that make good results in the EuroLeague.
Buducnost is lurking for their chance, and in my opinion, Cedevita Olimpija and Igokea have stepped up during the transfer window. As for us, there are many unknowns, and the team is relatively new. It’s too early to make predictions, but I believe we are in for a very entertaining and high-quality season.”
As the captain and one of the most experienced players on the team, Nemanja Vranjes indeed carries a higher level of responsibility compared to his teammates.
“I definitely feel an added responsibility. I believe every athlete carries a certain level of responsibility in their blood, of course, within normal limits. I think that when you give your all in games and in practice, you’ve done your part. It’s true that, along with Waller, I’m one of the most experienced players on the team. I’m confident that our experience will help the team achieve its set goals.”
Interesting story about coach Pavicevic
During our conversation with him, we also touched upon the coach of Mornar, Mihailo Pavicevic.
“The fact that I’ve been working with coach Mihailo Pavicevic for seven years speaks to the mutual respect between coach and player. There are many anecdotes involving him, but I’d like to highlight one related to basketball that has stayed with me.
We were playing a FIBA Europe Cup rematch against Oostende. We had lost in Belgium by 13 points. We were very committed to that competition, and instead of the usual preparation, scouting, and video analysis, Pavicevic, in a nervous state, held a meeting.
He told us, ‘Guys, we’re going to attack them as soon as they step off the bus.’ Believe me, that’s exactly what happened. It motivated us so much that we ended up winning by around 25 points.”
As our conversation came to a close, there was talk about one of the best scorers in the ABA League in recent seasons and former Georgian national team player, Jacob Pullen.
“I dare say, from my perspective, Jacob Pullen is a player who possesses the best offensive arsenal that I’ve had the chance to watch and experience live” – concluded the captain of the Mornar team from Bar, Nemanja Vranjes.