1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:08,040 All right, welcome back to the podcast everyone. 2 00:00:08,040 --> 00:00:11,400 We have a very special guest today, Ante Brzovich. 3 00:00:11,400 --> 00:00:15,480 Ante is a Croatian basketball player currently playing division one basketball here in the 4 00:00:15,480 --> 00:00:21,280 US for Charleston, where he's averaging 21 points and 10 rebounds as of right now. 5 00:00:21,280 --> 00:00:23,240 In this episode, we're going to learn more about him. 6 00:00:23,240 --> 00:00:25,900 Ante, thank you for coming on the podcast. 7 00:00:25,900 --> 00:00:26,900 My pleasure. 8 00:00:26,900 --> 00:00:27,900 Good to see you. 9 00:00:27,900 --> 00:00:28,900 Yeah, you as well. 10 00:00:28,900 --> 00:00:30,480 And we're filming this here on Thanksgiving. 11 00:00:30,480 --> 00:00:36,680 So I know you just told me you're going to get some turkey and eat some food with your 12 00:00:36,680 --> 00:00:39,480 teammates and the trainers here. 13 00:00:39,480 --> 00:00:42,060 So I appreciate you taking the time to come on the podcast here. 14 00:00:42,060 --> 00:00:43,520 But you know, first of all, start us off. 15 00:00:43,520 --> 00:00:45,000 Tell us a little bit about yourself. 16 00:00:45,000 --> 00:00:47,720 You know, I knew I know you grew up in Zagreb. 17 00:00:47,720 --> 00:00:50,280 So you know, tell us a little bit about that. 18 00:00:50,280 --> 00:00:55,120 Yeah, born and raised in Zagreb, lived there pretty much my whole life. 19 00:00:55,120 --> 00:01:00,780 Left Zagreb in 2020 for to go to college. 20 00:01:00,780 --> 00:01:03,800 My first time ever that I went to US was when I went to college. 21 00:01:03,800 --> 00:01:08,680 It was for southeastern Oklahoma D2 college school. 22 00:01:08,680 --> 00:01:14,000 And so that was my first time I ever went to the US been living here ever since in the 23 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:15,000 United States. 24 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:16,000 I love it. 25 00:01:16,000 --> 00:01:18,640 I lived in Oklahoma for one year. 26 00:01:18,640 --> 00:01:22,760 Well, two years actually, but I always spent my first freshman year there because of COVID. 27 00:01:22,760 --> 00:01:25,120 So I got my rest of your back. 28 00:01:25,120 --> 00:01:27,440 And after that, it's been all the Charleston here. 29 00:01:27,440 --> 00:01:31,880 And this is my last year of college senior currently. 30 00:01:31,880 --> 00:01:34,740 And I'm going to graduate in May, hopefully. 31 00:01:34,740 --> 00:01:40,080 So yeah, that's that's pretty much my my US journey so far. 32 00:01:40,080 --> 00:01:41,080 Yeah, awesome. 33 00:01:41,080 --> 00:01:43,560 I definitely I want to ask more about that. 34 00:01:43,560 --> 00:01:45,720 But what part of Zagreb are you from? 35 00:01:45,720 --> 00:01:47,960 Like actually, it's like city center city. 36 00:01:47,960 --> 00:01:52,640 I'm a song from it's a it's a it's a neighborhood. 37 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:56,440 It's about 10, 15 minute walk from Boneyard square. 38 00:01:56,440 --> 00:01:59,400 It's a it's a very nice area. 39 00:01:59,400 --> 00:02:01,980 Been living there went to went to elementary school. 40 00:02:01,980 --> 00:02:03,440 So that's that's where I'm from. 41 00:02:03,440 --> 00:02:04,720 That's where I grew up. 42 00:02:04,720 --> 00:02:07,240 That's over by the Cold War, right? 43 00:02:07,240 --> 00:02:08,240 The bus station. 44 00:02:08,240 --> 00:02:09,240 Yes. 45 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:10,240 Five minutes away from cold. 46 00:02:10,240 --> 00:02:11,240 Yep. 47 00:02:11,240 --> 00:02:12,240 Yep. 48 00:02:12,240 --> 00:02:17,000 Okay, I played I used to play soccer over there at the whatever that little soccer complex 49 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:18,000 field is. 50 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:21,560 There's like a WhatsApp group chat, you know, and I would go play. 51 00:02:21,560 --> 00:02:27,600 I'm not very good at soccer, but how did you get into basketball growing up and not soccer? 52 00:02:27,600 --> 00:02:33,200 I mean, I used to play soccer a little bit just like every kid, you know, but six, seven 53 00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:34,200 years old. 54 00:02:34,200 --> 00:02:35,800 But my dad's pretty tall. 55 00:02:35,800 --> 00:02:36,800 He's six, seven. 56 00:02:36,800 --> 00:02:39,580 So and my mom's pretty tall for a for a woman as well. 57 00:02:39,580 --> 00:02:42,240 So there were some indications that I might be tall as well. 58 00:02:42,240 --> 00:02:48,000 And that's why that's why some people suggested I'm going to try to go play basketball as 59 00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:53,400 a kid and really started in the first grade when I was seven years old and never looked 60 00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:54,400 back. 61 00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:55,400 Been playing it ever since. 62 00:02:55,400 --> 00:02:58,160 So yeah, I'm really enjoying it. 63 00:02:58,160 --> 00:03:00,880 It's been really good for me. 64 00:03:00,880 --> 00:03:01,880 Yeah. 65 00:03:01,880 --> 00:03:06,160 And you're six foot ten, right? 66 00:03:06,160 --> 00:03:08,200 I'm six foot ten. 67 00:03:08,200 --> 00:03:09,200 Yes. 68 00:03:09,200 --> 00:03:10,200 Yeah, that's nuts. 69 00:03:10,200 --> 00:03:12,480 Do you have any any siblings, brothers or sisters? 70 00:03:12,480 --> 00:03:16,440 Yeah, I have a I have younger brother, younger sister, my younger brother. 71 00:03:16,440 --> 00:03:20,480 He's actually in the States right now as well. 72 00:03:20,480 --> 00:03:25,560 He goes to the same college that I went to as a D2. 73 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:30,760 He's a freshman this year and he's loving every single, you know, loving every single 74 00:03:30,760 --> 00:03:32,280 thing about it, just like I have. 75 00:03:32,280 --> 00:03:33,920 And, you know, he's enjoying it. 76 00:03:33,920 --> 00:03:37,800 So my little sister, she's only 13 years old right now. 77 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:39,280 But we'll see. 78 00:03:39,280 --> 00:03:40,880 We'll see what she does eventually. 79 00:03:40,880 --> 00:03:46,680 But yeah, there's there's two there's two brothers in the US right now playing college 80 00:03:46,680 --> 00:03:47,680 basketball. 81 00:03:47,680 --> 00:03:48,680 Wow, that's awesome. 82 00:03:48,680 --> 00:03:53,080 You know, it's different, you know, here in the US basketball, I think is the second most 83 00:03:53,080 --> 00:03:55,480 popular sport in Croatia. 84 00:03:55,480 --> 00:03:58,200 You know, I think it used to be a little more popular back in the day. 85 00:03:58,200 --> 00:03:59,200 It's still popular. 86 00:03:59,200 --> 00:04:03,720 I think especially what Zadar is probably that's like the biggest city over there. 87 00:04:03,720 --> 00:04:04,720 But what's the difference? 88 00:04:04,720 --> 00:04:09,480 What would you say is the difference in like the system of, you know, here in the US, you 89 00:04:09,480 --> 00:04:13,040 know, you play whatever middle school growing up as a kid, then you play on your high school 90 00:04:13,040 --> 00:04:15,520 team and that's, you know, pretty big. 91 00:04:15,520 --> 00:04:18,280 And then you play for college and then you go pro. 92 00:04:18,280 --> 00:04:23,320 What is that pathway to being a professional basketball basketball player look like in 93 00:04:23,320 --> 00:04:24,320 Croatia? 94 00:04:24,320 --> 00:04:32,240 Yeah, I mean, European system is very much different than the US one, which makes a lot 95 00:04:32,240 --> 00:04:37,080 of sense because, you know, there's a smaller countries with different system design. 96 00:04:37,080 --> 00:04:40,760 You know, people go here to high school and college and play basketball within that. 97 00:04:40,760 --> 00:04:48,680 But in Europe, I think it's more skills oriented programs, more like a development style basketball 98 00:04:48,680 --> 00:04:52,520 in the US is just it's different type of development. 99 00:04:52,520 --> 00:04:55,000 I mean, there's there's so much talent out there. 100 00:04:55,000 --> 00:05:00,320 And, you know, I always was saying if you can play, somebody will see you. 101 00:05:00,320 --> 00:05:02,240 And I think that that was the case for me. 102 00:05:02,240 --> 00:05:07,760 I mean, it took me some time to to come along to find my find my balance here, find my rhythm 103 00:05:07,760 --> 00:05:08,760 here. 104 00:05:08,760 --> 00:05:12,920 But right now, I mean, I'm playing probably my basketball basketball I ever have played. 105 00:05:12,920 --> 00:05:16,720 And it's been it's been a process, but I'm really enjoying it. 106 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:17,720 So yeah. 107 00:05:17,720 --> 00:05:21,920 And you when you were in high school, you played for a club team, right? 108 00:05:21,920 --> 00:05:22,920 You played for Zde Vita. 109 00:05:22,920 --> 00:05:28,640 Yeah, I played for Zde Vita when I was 17, 18 years old. 110 00:05:28,640 --> 00:05:34,440 So it's like it's like, you know, club in Croatia, which was very successful. 111 00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:36,480 And they play some European tournaments as well. 112 00:05:36,480 --> 00:05:38,200 I never really got a chance to play that. 113 00:05:38,200 --> 00:05:44,080 So when COVID hit, I decided that it might be a best time for me to try something else 114 00:05:44,080 --> 00:05:48,440 and come to the States and try to see how college basketball is going to play out for 115 00:05:48,440 --> 00:05:49,440 me. 116 00:05:49,440 --> 00:05:50,440 So yeah. 117 00:05:50,440 --> 00:05:52,720 And how did that work that you ended up at Southeastern Oklahoma? 118 00:05:52,720 --> 00:05:54,880 I mean, did they recruit out there? 119 00:05:54,880 --> 00:05:56,120 How did you hear about them? 120 00:05:56,120 --> 00:05:57,960 How did that happen? 121 00:05:57,960 --> 00:06:01,480 So yeah, I mean, one of my friends, he works as an agent. 122 00:06:01,480 --> 00:06:07,400 I mean, it was very hard doing it during COVID because, you know, the season stopped at midpoint 123 00:06:07,400 --> 00:06:08,400 in Croatia. 124 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:11,760 There wasn't really offers for me that I really could have choose from. 125 00:06:11,760 --> 00:06:18,840 And so the D2 was pretty much my only option that I could have taken at the moment. 126 00:06:18,840 --> 00:06:24,160 And I took it because, you know, I really didn't have any other option. 127 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:25,160 Went there. 128 00:06:25,160 --> 00:06:28,720 I was here with my freshman year and, you know, some people just advised me to try and 129 00:06:28,720 --> 00:06:34,320 make the next step going to V1 college basketball, which, you know, was a huge step forward for 130 00:06:34,320 --> 00:06:35,320 me. 131 00:06:35,320 --> 00:06:37,260 It was a really hard adjustment when I first got here. 132 00:06:37,260 --> 00:06:41,720 But looking at it now, I mean, I made a right decision even though I struggled a little 133 00:06:41,720 --> 00:06:43,000 bit in the beginning. 134 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:49,160 But you know, if you keep working hard, I mean, you're going to come along eventually. 135 00:06:49,160 --> 00:06:54,960 There's also, you got to have right people around you like I did and who support you, 136 00:06:54,960 --> 00:06:56,560 my family as well, obviously. 137 00:06:56,560 --> 00:07:02,080 So if you put those things together, I mean, I think you should be fine. 138 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:06,480 I know you said that was your first time going to the U.S. right when you went when you came 139 00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:10,040 there to southeastern state, southeastern Oklahoma State. 140 00:07:10,040 --> 00:07:15,680 What was like your biggest culture shock being in the U.S. compared to Zagreb? 141 00:07:15,680 --> 00:07:22,000 Yeah, I mean, so my first time ever I landed in Dallas Fort Worth airport and it's like 142 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:25,800 an hour 15 drive to Oklahoma where I was living. 143 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:30,800 And I just see all this like highway with a bunch of, you know, all these all these 144 00:07:30,800 --> 00:07:37,080 lines, seven, eight of them, you know, crossroads over top fast food restaurants all over the 145 00:07:37,080 --> 00:07:38,080 place. 146 00:07:38,080 --> 00:07:44,160 That was like my first core memory like that I will always remember about the states. 147 00:07:44,160 --> 00:07:47,360 But obviously, I mean, it's a work for itself. 148 00:07:47,360 --> 00:07:52,720 You know, they have their own system of how they do things, how how things work and stuff. 149 00:07:52,720 --> 00:07:54,000 So it's a different culture. 150 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:58,040 But it was a little bit of shock for me about, you know, some of the things that I'm used 151 00:07:58,040 --> 00:07:59,040 to do at home. 152 00:07:59,040 --> 00:08:02,600 People just look at me when I do here like they just find it weird. 153 00:08:02,600 --> 00:08:08,440 But I learn about what they like to do, how they like to do and you kind of adjust. 154 00:08:08,440 --> 00:08:12,520 And I really, you know, found my peace here and I love living here. 155 00:08:12,520 --> 00:08:19,360 So yeah, so you're you're used to just the the IA don, you know, they won one way in 156 00:08:19,360 --> 00:08:21,400 Croatia and then you see all this. 157 00:08:21,400 --> 00:08:24,640 Yeah, yeah, it's a whole different world here. 158 00:08:24,640 --> 00:08:26,880 But yeah, I'm glad I got to see it. 159 00:08:26,880 --> 00:08:28,600 It's just experience for me. 160 00:08:28,600 --> 00:08:31,800 And so yeah, it's been nothing but great for me. 161 00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:35,640 What do you what have you shared with your teammates about, you know, Croatia? 162 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:39,120 Or do they ask, you know, like, what's it like over there? 163 00:08:39,120 --> 00:08:41,680 Yeah, I mean, some of the things that I always say. 164 00:08:41,680 --> 00:08:47,280 I mean, everybody here drives cars and, you know, life without a car is just like unimaginable. 165 00:08:47,280 --> 00:08:49,400 When I mean, I'm from Zagreb, it's a big city. 166 00:08:49,400 --> 00:08:53,320 You obviously have like a city transportation, organized stuff. 167 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:55,160 People people don't really use cars as much. 168 00:08:55,160 --> 00:08:58,800 So when sometimes people just see me walk on the street, they're like, are you OK? 169 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:00,640 Like, do you need a ride somewhere? 170 00:09:00,640 --> 00:09:03,440 So it's also coffee drinking. 171 00:09:03,440 --> 00:09:06,720 You know, we like to sit in the coffee bars for a few hours sipping coffee and stuff. 172 00:09:06,720 --> 00:09:08,440 They just don't have that here. 173 00:09:08,440 --> 00:09:13,400 So it was when I tried to explain it to them, they they kind of look at me weird by that. 174 00:09:13,400 --> 00:09:15,240 But they get it and I get it. 175 00:09:15,240 --> 00:09:16,240 That's not the case here. 176 00:09:16,240 --> 00:09:20,080 So but yeah, people are really, really nice to me here. 177 00:09:20,080 --> 00:09:21,080 I love it. 178 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:22,080 Yeah. 179 00:09:22,080 --> 00:09:23,080 Do you go to Starbucks ever? 180 00:09:23,080 --> 00:09:25,080 I'm not a huge Starbucks fan. 181 00:09:25,080 --> 00:09:31,880 I mean, it is the most popular marketing place to get a coffee, but I'm more of like a smaller 182 00:09:31,880 --> 00:09:32,880 local business. 183 00:09:32,880 --> 00:09:35,680 And I just think their coffee is better than the Starbucks. 184 00:09:35,680 --> 00:09:36,920 And I drink a lot. 185 00:09:36,920 --> 00:09:42,440 I drink a lot a couple of days to, you know, keep me safe because that's that's how I was 186 00:09:42,440 --> 00:09:43,440 raised over there. 187 00:09:43,440 --> 00:09:45,840 So what about smoking? 188 00:09:45,840 --> 00:09:47,280 Do you ever smoke? 189 00:09:47,280 --> 00:09:48,280 Probably you shouldn't smoke, right? 190 00:09:48,280 --> 00:09:50,320 During the no, that's not me. 191 00:09:50,320 --> 00:09:51,320 No, no. 192 00:09:51,320 --> 00:09:52,320 Good. 193 00:09:52,320 --> 00:09:53,320 Good. 194 00:09:53,320 --> 00:09:56,280 But yeah, that's that was a big thing when I went to the to Croatia, you know, from the 195 00:09:56,280 --> 00:09:59,080 US to just you go into a bar and you're surrounded by smoke. 196 00:09:59,080 --> 00:10:02,680 You know, any time you go out, you're closed. 197 00:10:02,680 --> 00:10:10,320 Yeah, I'm very proud to smoke in Croatia, which I really like because, you know, it's 198 00:10:10,320 --> 00:10:11,320 not really healthy. 199 00:10:11,320 --> 00:10:13,320 But yeah, definitely. 200 00:10:13,320 --> 00:10:14,320 Yeah. 201 00:10:14,320 --> 00:10:21,040 I saw I think last year in a press conference that you you thanked your baba in Croatian 202 00:10:21,040 --> 00:10:22,760 during the press conference. 203 00:10:22,760 --> 00:10:24,080 That was awesome. 204 00:10:24,080 --> 00:10:25,080 Why did you do that? 205 00:10:25,080 --> 00:10:28,480 And did you see that? 206 00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:35,480 You know, it was my grandmother from she's she means so much to me. 207 00:10:35,480 --> 00:10:41,640 I mean, amazing women love spending so much time with her. 208 00:10:41,640 --> 00:10:42,880 The stories that she can tell me. 209 00:10:42,880 --> 00:10:44,920 I mean, I'm always going to remember those. 210 00:10:44,920 --> 00:10:46,800 And she's a special woman in my life. 211 00:10:46,800 --> 00:10:50,840 And at that moment, we haven't spoken a while simply because she just doesn't have a phone. 212 00:10:50,840 --> 00:10:51,840 She doesn't know how that works. 213 00:10:51,840 --> 00:10:58,000 So every time I would talk to her, it's because, you know, either one of my parents or brother 214 00:10:58,000 --> 00:11:00,520 or sister comes there so we can face time. 215 00:11:00,520 --> 00:11:05,800 But I really felt like doing that and tell my dad to bring her a phone and show what 216 00:11:05,800 --> 00:11:07,480 I said because it was in Croatia. 217 00:11:07,480 --> 00:11:09,400 She obviously doesn't speak English. 218 00:11:09,400 --> 00:11:11,040 And you know, it kind of went viral. 219 00:11:11,040 --> 00:11:12,800 I really didn't expect that to happen. 220 00:11:12,800 --> 00:11:14,280 But I'm really glad for it. 221 00:11:14,280 --> 00:11:15,280 It made her day. 222 00:11:15,280 --> 00:11:16,440 So she thanked me a lot for it. 223 00:11:16,440 --> 00:11:17,440 And I'm happy as well. 224 00:11:17,440 --> 00:11:18,440 So yeah, that's awesome. 225 00:11:18,440 --> 00:11:19,440 Yeah, I love that. 226 00:11:19,440 --> 00:11:27,080 Talk to me about coming from, you know, southeastern Oklahoma State to Charleston now. 227 00:11:27,080 --> 00:11:30,000 What's it like going from a D2 program to a D1? 228 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:34,840 Was that a did you feel like there was a noticeable difference in everything? 229 00:11:34,840 --> 00:11:36,240 Yeah. 230 00:11:36,240 --> 00:11:42,840 Like I said, I mean, I think Division two and Division one basketball, like it's not 231 00:11:42,840 --> 00:11:43,840 the same sport. 232 00:11:43,840 --> 00:11:44,840 It was the same sport for me. 233 00:11:44,840 --> 00:11:50,200 It took me literally four or five months just to get my body in shape where I can, you know, 234 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:51,880 run up and down. 235 00:11:51,880 --> 00:11:54,880 It's a much higher pace game. 236 00:11:54,880 --> 00:11:55,880 Game is much more physical. 237 00:11:55,880 --> 00:11:57,960 You have all these athletes that you're competing against. 238 00:11:57,960 --> 00:12:01,840 And, you know, you've got to have that just to start with so that you can get on the court 239 00:12:01,840 --> 00:12:03,480 against them. 240 00:12:03,480 --> 00:12:05,480 So it took me a little bit. 241 00:12:05,480 --> 00:12:08,960 But eventually I knew with the talent wise, I can't compete with them. 242 00:12:08,960 --> 00:12:14,920 It was just really my body that needed to get in shape so I can, you know, get in the 243 00:12:14,920 --> 00:12:16,440 game and compete. 244 00:12:16,440 --> 00:12:18,120 So I did that. 245 00:12:18,120 --> 00:12:20,000 It was really hard in the beginning. 246 00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:23,880 But you know, the coaching staff really had my back and they were really supportive of 247 00:12:23,880 --> 00:12:29,680 me and gave me everything that I really needed to be successful at Division one level. 248 00:12:29,680 --> 00:12:31,720 And I thank them for it. 249 00:12:31,720 --> 00:12:36,640 And they're one of the reasons why I'm doing what I'm doing right now. 250 00:12:36,640 --> 00:12:39,640 So you guys were doing a lot of cardio in the preseason. 251 00:12:39,640 --> 00:12:44,720 A lot of cardio, a lot of lifting, a lot of, and I mean, it's not just lift. 252 00:12:44,720 --> 00:12:46,640 It's, it was a heavy lift. 253 00:12:46,640 --> 00:12:50,560 You know, the guy that we had, he's really good at what he does. 254 00:12:50,560 --> 00:12:56,720 He transformed my body, made like everything was so much easier to do on the court for 255 00:12:56,720 --> 00:13:00,680 me, maybe more, maybe faster, stronger, could have jumped higher. 256 00:13:00,680 --> 00:13:07,360 So yeah, it was a, it was a process for me from transitioning from D2 to D1. 257 00:13:07,360 --> 00:13:11,960 But right now I came along, so I'm doing fine now. 258 00:13:11,960 --> 00:13:12,960 Good, good. 259 00:13:12,960 --> 00:13:17,920 And so you've put on weight then in the last, what, two, two, three years? 260 00:13:17,920 --> 00:13:20,840 Yeah, a lot of weight. 261 00:13:20,840 --> 00:13:29,640 A lot of my BMI body mass index put on a lot of muscles, which is super important. 262 00:13:29,640 --> 00:13:31,800 Didn't have any major injuries. 263 00:13:31,800 --> 00:13:32,800 Thank God for that. 264 00:13:32,800 --> 00:13:38,320 So as long as I'm staying healthy, I mean, that I can play this game, I'm super excited. 265 00:13:38,320 --> 00:13:39,320 Yeah. 266 00:13:39,320 --> 00:13:40,320 Good, good. 267 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:45,760 Well, I want to ask you about a game you had last week or two, I think two weeks ago against 268 00:13:45,760 --> 00:13:46,760 FAU. 269 00:13:46,760 --> 00:13:47,760 Right. 270 00:13:47,760 --> 00:13:48,760 That was pretty crazy. 271 00:13:48,760 --> 00:13:55,600 You had a, you had 39 points, 13 rebounds and a buzzer beater in overtime to win. 272 00:13:55,600 --> 00:13:59,880 And I saw the highlights on YouTube the other day and the announcers were great too. 273 00:13:59,880 --> 00:14:01,400 They really made it incredible. 274 00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:04,440 And just seeing that buzzer beater, I was like, Oh my God. 275 00:14:04,440 --> 00:14:05,960 And the crowd was so nuts. 276 00:14:05,960 --> 00:14:07,960 What was that like for you? 277 00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:13,160 Yeah, that was a, I mean, that was the craziest game I ever played. 278 00:14:13,160 --> 00:14:18,440 I mean, for sure, easily like two over times buzzer beater against a really good team. 279 00:14:18,440 --> 00:14:23,160 You know, the gym was crowded, a lot of people in there and just the way that, that I was 280 00:14:23,160 --> 00:14:27,600 like, yeah, this is the, you know, one of those games that you will never forget. 281 00:14:27,600 --> 00:14:30,560 So it was amazing feeling. 282 00:14:30,560 --> 00:14:37,440 I mean, just playing at home, you just gave me like a special feeling for it. 283 00:14:37,440 --> 00:14:38,760 I'll never forget it. 284 00:14:38,760 --> 00:14:39,760 That's awesome. 285 00:14:39,760 --> 00:14:40,760 Yeah. 286 00:14:40,760 --> 00:14:44,560 And then the next day was that coming off of a timeout or no, cause I just saw the highlights. 287 00:14:44,560 --> 00:14:47,680 Yeah, it was, it was coming off of timeout. 288 00:14:47,680 --> 00:14:52,160 And the sole reason I will never forget about is because, you know, that's not what we drew 289 00:14:52,160 --> 00:14:54,240 up that that wasn't even supposed to be a play. 290 00:14:54,240 --> 00:14:59,480 Wasn't what wasn't trying to, well, it wasn't even supposed to go in my hands, but yeah, 291 00:14:59,480 --> 00:15:00,840 I just took my chances. 292 00:15:00,840 --> 00:15:02,960 You know, it was, it was three seconds left. 293 00:15:02,960 --> 00:15:05,880 I said the worst thing we can go into another overtime. 294 00:15:05,880 --> 00:15:10,800 So just dribbled it up, you know, sent a prayer and went in. 295 00:15:10,800 --> 00:15:12,760 So that's funny that you said that. 296 00:15:12,760 --> 00:15:16,480 Cause I was going to ask like, wow, I'm surprised the coach, you know, you're a six foot 10 297 00:15:16,480 --> 00:15:18,720 and the coach is going to inbound it to you. 298 00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:21,880 Have you dribbled a whole length of the court and then take a three. 299 00:15:21,880 --> 00:15:23,520 So that wasn't even the play. 300 00:15:23,520 --> 00:15:26,840 That was not even a play. 301 00:15:26,840 --> 00:15:32,320 No, but they were set up in a weird formation, defended. 302 00:15:32,320 --> 00:15:35,760 And I said, like, I have a lot of room on the right side of a right side of the court. 303 00:15:35,760 --> 00:15:37,280 Cause nobody was there. 304 00:15:37,280 --> 00:15:40,080 And I know the, the, I had a smaller guy on me who was the garden. 305 00:15:40,080 --> 00:15:42,240 You got to be careful not to get your balls stolen and stuff. 306 00:15:42,240 --> 00:15:46,920 But yeah, like I said, it was, it was, it was a great moment for me and for us in general. 307 00:15:46,920 --> 00:15:51,560 I mean, yeah, one of those games, uh, poor memory for sure. 308 00:15:51,560 --> 00:15:52,560 That's awesome. 309 00:15:52,560 --> 00:15:53,560 Yeah. 310 00:15:53,560 --> 00:15:56,620 And for anyone listening, I'm going to include the link down below so you can watch the highlights 311 00:15:56,620 --> 00:15:57,620 of that game. 312 00:15:57,620 --> 00:16:00,960 Cause that's such a cool game to watch. 313 00:16:00,960 --> 00:16:04,960 Yeah, that was awesome. 314 00:16:04,960 --> 00:16:09,200 You also, aren't that you have a lot of people, you have a lot of international teammates 315 00:16:09,200 --> 00:16:10,920 on your team this year. 316 00:16:10,920 --> 00:16:12,560 How does that happen? 317 00:16:12,560 --> 00:16:16,640 Is Charleston recruiting like internationally a lot or? 318 00:16:16,640 --> 00:16:22,080 I mean, my first two years here, there were not really international guys on the team. 319 00:16:22,080 --> 00:16:26,800 There were a couple of maybe like three, four this year is, is more than half of the team 320 00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:29,800 is from Europe. 321 00:16:29,800 --> 00:16:33,000 We brought in a new coach after Pat Kelsey left for Louisville. 322 00:16:33,000 --> 00:16:38,040 And it was at the weird moment where, where transfer pool was already like one month in 323 00:16:38,040 --> 00:16:42,040 and a lot of guys already transfer find their new spots. 324 00:16:42,040 --> 00:16:45,200 So we recruited, right? 325 00:16:45,200 --> 00:16:48,880 We had to find who we're going to play it this time. 326 00:16:48,880 --> 00:16:49,880 I guess it just happened. 327 00:16:49,880 --> 00:16:52,040 It's going to be a lot of internationals on our team. 328 00:16:52,040 --> 00:16:56,720 So yeah, we have, we speak a lot of languages in here, a lot of different cultures and stuff. 329 00:16:56,720 --> 00:16:58,400 So I mean, I'm enjoying it. 330 00:16:58,400 --> 00:16:59,600 Yeah, that's awesome. 331 00:16:59,600 --> 00:17:00,600 Yeah. 332 00:17:00,600 --> 00:17:03,400 So you're a multi-coach for real team. 333 00:17:03,400 --> 00:17:07,800 Who were you some of your basketball idols while you were growing up? 334 00:17:07,800 --> 00:17:10,760 What athletes did you look up to? 335 00:17:10,760 --> 00:17:17,320 Yeah, Kobe Bryant, my, my, my first biggest guy that I looked up to. 336 00:17:17,320 --> 00:17:21,680 I mean, when I was a kid used to wake up 430 AM to watch him play. 337 00:17:21,680 --> 00:17:22,680 Don't regret it ever. 338 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:26,320 My mom hated it, but I mean, that's just what I wanted to do. 339 00:17:26,320 --> 00:17:34,200 So Kobe was, I mean, it's not really the guy who I can model my game after, but just, just 340 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:35,520 always always was a Lakers fan. 341 00:17:35,520 --> 00:17:36,520 I love the way that he played. 342 00:17:36,520 --> 00:17:39,520 I mean, just, just the legend. 343 00:17:39,520 --> 00:17:40,520 Yeah. 344 00:17:40,520 --> 00:17:43,640 I would say that he was the, he was the first one I ever looked up to. 345 00:17:43,640 --> 00:17:44,640 Yeah. 346 00:17:44,640 --> 00:17:45,640 Yeah. 347 00:17:45,640 --> 00:17:46,640 Well, I'm here in Los Angeles. 348 00:17:46,640 --> 00:17:49,400 So yeah, everybody is a Lakers fan over here. 349 00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:54,160 And when you drive, you see a lot of the murals on buildings, you know, paintings of him after 350 00:17:54,160 --> 00:17:55,160 he passed. 351 00:17:55,160 --> 00:17:56,760 And of course they put up a lot. 352 00:17:56,760 --> 00:17:57,760 Yeah. 353 00:17:57,760 --> 00:17:59,600 Kobe was, Kobe was crazy. 354 00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:03,200 I mean, everyone, everyone growing up when I was a kid, you know, when you shoot a paper 355 00:18:03,200 --> 00:18:06,760 ball in the trash can, you know, you yell Kobe, you gotta yell it. 356 00:18:06,760 --> 00:18:07,760 Yeah. 357 00:18:07,760 --> 00:18:08,760 Yeah. 358 00:18:08,760 --> 00:18:13,240 So I think the kids these days now are saying Curry, you know, it's crazy how the generation 359 00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:18,240 is changing, but yeah, but we got, we gotta make sure we always remember who the original 360 00:18:18,240 --> 00:18:19,240 guy is. 361 00:18:19,240 --> 00:18:20,240 So right. 362 00:18:20,240 --> 00:18:24,040 What about, what about Croatian basketball players growing up? 363 00:18:24,040 --> 00:18:27,080 Someone that you looked up to or modeled your game after? 364 00:18:27,080 --> 00:18:28,080 Yeah. 365 00:18:28,080 --> 00:18:34,560 I mean, Tony Kukoc, I mean, it's, it's actually funny because in my opinion, he's, he's our 366 00:18:34,560 --> 00:18:35,560 best player ever. 367 00:18:35,560 --> 00:18:39,160 And he just happened to be a lefty, you know, six 10 as well. 368 00:18:39,160 --> 00:18:43,280 And I used to watch him play a lot back in the day when he was with the Bulls and stuff, 369 00:18:43,280 --> 00:18:47,840 because I mean, I just really like his game, you know, just smart makes the right play 370 00:18:47,840 --> 00:18:48,880 shooter. 371 00:18:48,880 --> 00:18:52,560 So it's really fun watching him play. 372 00:18:52,560 --> 00:18:53,560 He's a legend in Croatia. 373 00:18:53,560 --> 00:18:56,880 And a lot of people in the U S when I say that I'm from Croatia, they bring them up 374 00:18:56,880 --> 00:18:57,880 right away. 375 00:18:57,880 --> 00:19:01,000 And you know, they just tell me, Oh, Kukoc, yeah, I remember. 376 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:05,600 So yeah, it makes it easier for me to, to just, you know, have people recognize where 377 00:19:05,600 --> 00:19:07,000 the Croatia is because of him. 378 00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:09,000 So a lot of credit for him too. 379 00:19:09,000 --> 00:19:10,000 All right. 380 00:19:10,000 --> 00:19:11,000 Good. 381 00:19:11,000 --> 00:19:12,000 Yeah. 382 00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:13,800 Yeah, that's good that people, I mean, of course everyone knows Kukoc, but I don't 383 00:19:13,800 --> 00:19:19,040 know if everyone here in the U S would immediately know, Oh yeah, Kukoc Croatia, but definitely 384 00:19:19,040 --> 00:19:22,000 some of the Bulls fans back in the day for sure would know that. 385 00:19:22,000 --> 00:19:24,400 But yeah, Kukoc was, he was a great player. 386 00:19:24,400 --> 00:19:25,800 Have you been in contact with him? 387 00:19:25,800 --> 00:19:29,400 I think he still lives in Chicago, right? 388 00:19:29,400 --> 00:19:30,600 I don't, I'm not really sure. 389 00:19:30,600 --> 00:19:34,440 I mean, he obviously is from split and he moves left to right. 390 00:19:34,440 --> 00:19:38,480 Obviously, well with the, with the, with our basketball and stuff, which I really like, 391 00:19:38,480 --> 00:19:43,280 but you know, I mean, Chicago is his home, you know, to an extent, you know, he spent 392 00:19:43,280 --> 00:19:44,540 some really nice years there. 393 00:19:44,540 --> 00:19:48,760 So if he's over, I've never been to Chicago, but I bet it's nice for him. 394 00:19:48,760 --> 00:19:49,760 So yeah. 395 00:19:49,760 --> 00:19:50,760 Yeah. 396 00:19:50,760 --> 00:19:54,120 And did you see that documentary, the last dance about Jordan? 397 00:19:54,120 --> 00:19:55,120 Oh yeah. 398 00:19:55,120 --> 00:19:56,120 And then they had the episode about Kukoc. 399 00:19:56,120 --> 00:19:57,120 That was cool. 400 00:19:57,120 --> 00:19:58,120 Yeah, that was, that was really cool. 401 00:19:58,120 --> 00:20:02,880 I saw it and you know, it's just, it's just great insights that you get about the players, 402 00:20:02,880 --> 00:20:04,320 you know, behind the scenes and stuff. 403 00:20:04,320 --> 00:20:05,880 So I really enjoyed watching that. 404 00:20:05,880 --> 00:20:06,880 Definitely. 405 00:20:06,880 --> 00:20:07,880 Yeah. 406 00:20:07,880 --> 00:20:10,240 Are you following any of the, you know, current Croatian NBA players? 407 00:20:10,240 --> 00:20:13,400 Ivica Zubac is having a really great year this year. 408 00:20:13,400 --> 00:20:16,520 You know, there's Saric Bogdanovic, I believe is injured. 409 00:20:16,520 --> 00:20:17,520 Yeah. 410 00:20:17,520 --> 00:20:18,520 Yeah. 411 00:20:18,520 --> 00:20:21,400 So watching all of them play, watch what they do. 412 00:20:21,400 --> 00:20:25,880 I mean, obviously Zubac, I mean, I think he made some great progress over the last few 413 00:20:25,880 --> 00:20:31,840 years really, really playing his best basketball at the moment, found a place in, in LA to, 414 00:20:31,840 --> 00:20:34,440 to, you know, settle in and play his best basketball. 415 00:20:34,440 --> 00:20:37,680 So I'm really enjoying watching them play as much as I can. 416 00:20:37,680 --> 00:20:39,680 Saric had some injuries in the past. 417 00:20:39,680 --> 00:20:42,880 Hopefully he can stay healthy for now because I think he's an amazing player as well. 418 00:20:42,880 --> 00:20:47,600 So yeah, just watching them play, trying to, trying to learn a thing or two, which is, 419 00:20:47,600 --> 00:20:48,600 which can help me. 420 00:20:48,600 --> 00:20:49,600 So yeah. 421 00:20:49,600 --> 00:20:51,080 But you said you're a Lakers fan, right? 422 00:20:51,080 --> 00:20:53,880 You still following the Lakers, you're a big LeBron fan? 423 00:20:53,880 --> 00:20:55,960 No, no, not a LeBron fan. 424 00:20:55,960 --> 00:20:58,000 No, not at all. 425 00:20:58,000 --> 00:20:59,000 How come? 426 00:20:59,000 --> 00:21:04,200 Never was my guy, you know, had some mixed emotions when he signed with the Lakers, but 427 00:21:04,200 --> 00:21:05,680 I mean, I respect him all. 428 00:21:05,680 --> 00:21:07,080 He's, he's, he's amazing. 429 00:21:07,080 --> 00:21:11,520 One of the best I ever watched obviously, but when it comes to Lakers always Kobe's 430 00:21:11,520 --> 00:21:13,720 going to be number one for me. 431 00:21:13,720 --> 00:21:14,720 That's fair. 432 00:21:14,720 --> 00:21:15,720 Yeah, that's fair. 433 00:21:15,720 --> 00:21:20,200 But yeah, LeBron, I mean, of course has done great stuff in his career and crazy how long 434 00:21:20,200 --> 00:21:21,200 he's playing. 435 00:21:21,200 --> 00:21:26,120 But yeah, I don't know when he went to Miami and did the whole, you know, thing and the 436 00:21:26,120 --> 00:21:28,160 whole show about going there. 437 00:21:28,160 --> 00:21:32,240 I think that's kind of when people started to turn on him a little bit, but yeah, incredible 438 00:21:32,240 --> 00:21:38,000 player, incredible athlete, smart guy too, you know, his court IQ is really high. 439 00:21:38,000 --> 00:21:39,000 Yeah. 440 00:21:39,000 --> 00:21:40,000 Amazing. 441 00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:41,000 Yeah. 442 00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:44,000 What, when's the last time you were, you've been back in Croatia? 443 00:21:44,000 --> 00:21:46,720 Are you able to go in this past off season? 444 00:21:46,720 --> 00:21:47,720 Yeah. 445 00:21:47,720 --> 00:21:53,000 So usually I go back home in May when, when a semester ends and that's probably the only 446 00:21:53,000 --> 00:21:57,640 time when, when I really don't have to go to school and practice at the same time. 447 00:21:57,640 --> 00:22:03,200 So I really take advantage of me to go back home and, and visit my family and friends 448 00:22:03,200 --> 00:22:05,720 a little bit. 449 00:22:05,720 --> 00:22:07,880 Can't stay there for three, four weeks. 450 00:22:07,880 --> 00:22:09,900 I really wish it was a little later. 451 00:22:09,900 --> 00:22:13,200 So if it's like a July and August, I can go more South, go to beach and stuff because 452 00:22:13,200 --> 00:22:15,880 I love beaches in Croatia, go there. 453 00:22:15,880 --> 00:22:17,720 But yeah, that's the, that's the time I go home. 454 00:22:17,720 --> 00:22:21,520 Usually, you know, may it might be different next year since I'm graduating and stuff. 455 00:22:21,520 --> 00:22:28,520 So we'll see what's going to happen, but that's the time I go home and catch up. 456 00:22:28,520 --> 00:22:30,360 What beaches do you like to go to in the summer? 457 00:22:30,360 --> 00:22:32,680 Where do you like to go? 458 00:22:32,680 --> 00:22:40,200 Well usually where I was going to was Makarska, Tucepi, never been to a really, really beach 459 00:22:40,200 --> 00:22:46,360 in Split or Dubrovnik maybe for example, but been to been to some islands as well, which, 460 00:22:46,360 --> 00:22:47,360 which is really cool. 461 00:22:47,360 --> 00:22:53,120 So I mean, I think we have the most beautiful coastline in the world and I've seen many. 462 00:22:53,120 --> 00:22:55,840 So yeah, no, seriously. 463 00:22:55,840 --> 00:22:58,200 My Baba has an apartment in Makarska. 464 00:22:58,200 --> 00:23:01,000 So I was there the last, the last four summers. 465 00:23:01,000 --> 00:23:03,560 I think the entire summer or all four last summer. 466 00:23:03,560 --> 00:23:04,560 So I love Makarska. 467 00:23:04,560 --> 00:23:05,560 I've been there. 468 00:23:05,560 --> 00:23:06,560 Beautiful place. 469 00:23:06,560 --> 00:23:07,560 Yeah. 470 00:23:07,560 --> 00:23:10,440 I think they closed down that Club Deep, the cave. 471 00:23:10,440 --> 00:23:11,800 Oh, they did? 472 00:23:11,800 --> 00:23:12,800 I think so. 473 00:23:12,800 --> 00:23:13,960 It wasn't there this past summer. 474 00:23:13,960 --> 00:23:14,960 They didn't open it. 475 00:23:14,960 --> 00:23:16,600 I haven't been there, but I heard for it. 476 00:23:16,600 --> 00:23:19,720 What I mean, if you liked it there, that sucks for you. 477 00:23:19,720 --> 00:23:21,000 I didn't like the music really. 478 00:23:21,000 --> 00:23:25,640 They play, I don't know, random like music, not my kind of music, but it's cool being 479 00:23:25,640 --> 00:23:26,920 in the cave at least. 480 00:23:26,920 --> 00:23:28,200 Oh yeah, it's awesome. 481 00:23:28,200 --> 00:23:29,200 Yeah. 482 00:23:29,200 --> 00:23:30,200 I didn't know they closed that. 483 00:23:30,200 --> 00:23:31,200 That's, that's yeah. 484 00:23:31,200 --> 00:23:32,200 I think so. 485 00:23:32,200 --> 00:23:33,200 Yeah. 486 00:23:33,200 --> 00:23:34,680 At least when I was there, they didn't have it open for whatever reason. 487 00:23:34,680 --> 00:23:37,600 I think it's just that Makarana is the only other club. 488 00:23:37,600 --> 00:23:38,600 Makarana. 489 00:23:38,600 --> 00:23:39,600 Yeah. 490 00:23:39,600 --> 00:23:42,800 Which I don't like that music either, but you know, I like the old school. 491 00:23:42,800 --> 00:23:43,800 Old school. 492 00:23:43,800 --> 00:23:44,800 Yeah. 493 00:23:44,800 --> 00:23:45,800 Well, hopefully you find one where you like the music, man. 494 00:23:45,800 --> 00:23:46,800 Yeah. 495 00:23:46,800 --> 00:23:47,800 Well, it's nice in Makarska. 496 00:23:47,800 --> 00:23:54,080 There's always someone like a live band playing around whatever that hotel, or in or something 497 00:23:54,080 --> 00:23:55,080 is over there. 498 00:23:55,080 --> 00:23:56,680 There's always someone playing guitar or something. 499 00:23:56,680 --> 00:24:00,360 They got some live bands playing, you know, some of the older Croatian songs. 500 00:24:00,360 --> 00:24:01,680 During summer, it does get crazy. 501 00:24:01,680 --> 00:24:06,400 I mean, you can find a bunch of entertainment or whatever you like tourists are over there. 502 00:24:06,400 --> 00:24:10,040 So it's, it's the best time to be there during summer for sure. 503 00:24:10,040 --> 00:24:11,040 Yeah. 504 00:24:11,040 --> 00:24:13,120 What's your favorite food to eat when you're back home? 505 00:24:13,120 --> 00:24:14,600 Oh man. 506 00:24:14,600 --> 00:24:17,760 Kevapi, burek. 507 00:24:17,760 --> 00:24:19,480 I can go on and on. 508 00:24:19,480 --> 00:24:26,040 Salma, obviously it's more like a for a, for a colder weather time when I'm not home, but 509 00:24:26,040 --> 00:24:31,440 really whatever my mom or my grandma make, you know, just some traditional Balkan food. 510 00:24:31,440 --> 00:24:38,240 And it's, it's really refreshing for me after eating Wendy's and then, you know, Chipotle 511 00:24:38,240 --> 00:24:39,240 every day. 512 00:24:39,240 --> 00:24:40,240 Yeah. 513 00:24:40,240 --> 00:24:41,240 Have you tried it in and out? 514 00:24:41,240 --> 00:24:43,160 Do you like it in and out over here? 515 00:24:43,160 --> 00:24:45,560 I haven't tried it in and out, but people keep talking about it. 516 00:24:45,560 --> 00:24:48,880 And I was like, man, if I ever get a chance, I need to do it. 517 00:24:48,880 --> 00:24:52,160 So yeah, but I'm more of like a breakfast type of person. 518 00:24:52,160 --> 00:24:53,160 I love breakfast. 519 00:24:53,160 --> 00:24:57,100 So, so yeah, I like, you know, breakfast sandwiches, burritos. 520 00:24:57,100 --> 00:25:00,560 That's what I really like before, before practice, early morning breakfast or lift. 521 00:25:00,560 --> 00:25:01,560 So yeah. 522 00:25:01,560 --> 00:25:02,560 Hmm. 523 00:25:02,560 --> 00:25:03,560 Yeah. 524 00:25:03,560 --> 00:25:04,560 Breakfast burritos are good. 525 00:25:04,560 --> 00:25:05,560 That's something when I was in Croatia that I missed. 526 00:25:05,560 --> 00:25:07,360 It was like good Mexican food. 527 00:25:07,360 --> 00:25:08,360 Yeah. 528 00:25:08,360 --> 00:25:09,360 Yeah. 529 00:25:09,360 --> 00:25:10,360 Yeah. 530 00:25:10,360 --> 00:25:11,360 100%. 531 00:25:11,360 --> 00:25:12,360 Yeah. 532 00:25:12,360 --> 00:25:14,360 When you, you said burek, do you like the burek, the mesom or the, you know, like the 533 00:25:14,360 --> 00:25:15,360 pita? 534 00:25:15,360 --> 00:25:17,360 I don't want to get anyone mad here if I say it wrong. 535 00:25:17,360 --> 00:25:18,360 Yeah. 536 00:25:18,360 --> 00:25:21,160 We might get some people offended, but yeah, only meso. 537 00:25:21,160 --> 00:25:22,160 Yeah. 538 00:25:22,160 --> 00:25:23,160 Yeah. 539 00:25:23,160 --> 00:25:24,160 Okay. 540 00:25:24,160 --> 00:25:25,160 Good. 541 00:25:25,160 --> 00:25:26,160 So the real burek then just the real burek. 542 00:25:26,160 --> 00:25:27,160 Yeah. 543 00:25:27,160 --> 00:25:28,160 That's awesome. 544 00:25:28,160 --> 00:25:32,760 I got to just a few more, you know, fun little questions here, but I mentioned music. 545 00:25:32,760 --> 00:25:36,000 What type of music do you like to listen to? 546 00:25:36,000 --> 00:25:42,620 So it really depends on the mood that I'm in, what type of where I'm, where I happen 547 00:25:42,620 --> 00:25:47,200 to be or whatever, but I listen to a lot of Croatian music and we also have like two Serbians 548 00:25:47,200 --> 00:25:48,200 on the team. 549 00:25:48,200 --> 00:25:52,340 So there's a, there's a mix with the, I like to listen with their music. 550 00:25:52,340 --> 00:25:54,560 They listen to a lot of Croatian artists as well. 551 00:25:54,560 --> 00:26:00,600 So there's always like a mix, but I listen to American artists as well before the game, 552 00:26:00,600 --> 00:26:01,600 maybe. 553 00:26:01,600 --> 00:26:05,080 So, so it's, it's, it's a, it's a mix a little bit of, you know, I really don't have like 554 00:26:05,080 --> 00:26:08,980 a specific, just the music type that I always listen to and stick to. 555 00:26:08,980 --> 00:26:12,160 So I like to mix it up a little bit. 556 00:26:12,160 --> 00:26:14,160 What about when you're lifting? 557 00:26:14,160 --> 00:26:20,420 Well, when I'm lifting, it's, it's usually American music because, you know, there might 558 00:26:20,420 --> 00:26:22,640 be some other people in there that are American. 559 00:26:22,640 --> 00:26:26,040 So they put whatever it is on. 560 00:26:26,040 --> 00:26:30,440 But it's probably more like a, like a hype music to lift, which, which makes a lot of 561 00:26:30,440 --> 00:26:31,440 sense. 562 00:26:31,440 --> 00:26:32,680 So yeah, that's, that's fine with me. 563 00:26:32,680 --> 00:26:33,680 Okay. 564 00:26:33,680 --> 00:26:37,200 So you don't have the earphones on then you just got it on the speaker. 565 00:26:37,200 --> 00:26:38,840 It blasts on a speaker. 566 00:26:38,840 --> 00:26:42,320 So whatever, whatever we are listening, I'm listening to as well. 567 00:26:42,320 --> 00:26:46,560 So you got to adjust sometimes if I happen to be by myself, I can, you know, have a little 568 00:26:46,560 --> 00:26:48,440 wiggle room and put whatever I want. 569 00:26:48,440 --> 00:26:52,600 So, but yeah, while I'm working on, I really don't mind music as long as something's 570 00:26:52,600 --> 00:26:53,600 going on. 571 00:26:53,600 --> 00:26:54,600 So, nice, nice. 572 00:26:54,600 --> 00:26:58,680 Well, I asked you earlier about, you know, what, what basketball players you say, cool 573 00:26:58,680 --> 00:26:59,680 coach. 574 00:26:59,680 --> 00:27:02,760 I was hoping you would say Petrovich also, cause I wanted to tell you that, you know, 575 00:27:02,760 --> 00:27:06,240 how that a movie, new movie came out about him. 576 00:27:06,240 --> 00:27:08,160 Yeah, I saw it. 577 00:27:08,160 --> 00:27:09,160 Yeah. 578 00:27:09,160 --> 00:27:10,160 Yeah. 579 00:27:10,160 --> 00:27:13,240 I did not see it, but I saw that it got leaked. 580 00:27:13,240 --> 00:27:14,240 Yeah. 581 00:27:14,240 --> 00:27:15,240 Oh yeah. 582 00:27:15,240 --> 00:27:17,720 You got to send me that cause I want to watch it because I'm really in it. 583 00:27:17,720 --> 00:27:19,720 I'm in one of the scenes. 584 00:27:19,720 --> 00:27:20,720 Yeah. 585 00:27:20,720 --> 00:27:24,880 I heard a lot about it, but, but if I get a chance to watch it, I want to make sure 586 00:27:24,880 --> 00:27:28,320 I forward it to you because I really didn't get a chance to do so yet. 587 00:27:28,320 --> 00:27:29,320 Yeah. 588 00:27:29,320 --> 00:27:30,320 I've been trying to find it. 589 00:27:30,320 --> 00:27:34,080 I think it's only in Croatia and maybe some of the surrounding countries, but I don't 590 00:27:34,080 --> 00:27:36,840 think it's like internationally released yet. 591 00:27:36,840 --> 00:27:39,400 But eventually, I mean, eventually I'll get a hold of it. 592 00:27:39,400 --> 00:27:42,240 So I'll make sure to, to, to let you know if I do. 593 00:27:42,240 --> 00:27:43,240 Yeah. 594 00:27:43,240 --> 00:27:44,240 Yeah, definitely. 595 00:27:44,240 --> 00:27:45,240 Yeah. 596 00:27:45,240 --> 00:27:48,840 I was there in Zagreb a year and a half ago when they were filming it and somehow someone 597 00:27:48,840 --> 00:27:52,040 said they needed background actors or whatever the next day. 598 00:27:52,040 --> 00:27:53,720 So that they asked me to be in it. 599 00:27:53,720 --> 00:27:57,360 But then I ended up being in one scene where Drazhin is talking. 600 00:27:57,360 --> 00:28:02,280 I think it was when I was supposed to be a real dread player and he was playing for 601 00:28:02,280 --> 00:28:03,280 Cibona. 602 00:28:03,280 --> 00:28:06,360 I guess, did he come back to Cibona after, after that? 603 00:28:06,360 --> 00:28:08,320 No, he did not know. 604 00:28:08,320 --> 00:28:12,560 Well somehow I was like an ex teammate of his and he was talking to his girlfriend in 605 00:28:12,560 --> 00:28:16,540 the locker room after the game and I come by and I kind of hit him on the shoulder and 606 00:28:16,540 --> 00:28:19,160 give him like a, you know, hey, what's up and keep walking. 607 00:28:19,160 --> 00:28:22,640 And I guess they kept that scene in the movie because my friend saw it and she texted me 608 00:28:22,640 --> 00:28:23,640 a picture. 609 00:28:23,640 --> 00:28:26,280 She said, oh, I just saw you in this movie. 610 00:28:26,280 --> 00:28:27,560 Yeah, that's great. 611 00:28:27,560 --> 00:28:32,480 We definitely then have to have to have to get you that tape view and then see what you 612 00:28:32,480 --> 00:28:33,480 are. 613 00:28:33,480 --> 00:28:35,240 You've been working with the, I mean, you are at Hollywood. 614 00:28:35,240 --> 00:28:39,080 So yeah, you get some applications later on. 615 00:28:39,080 --> 00:28:40,080 Yeah. 616 00:28:40,080 --> 00:28:41,080 But you know what they told me? 617 00:28:41,080 --> 00:28:43,400 They said shave the mustache before you come to the set. 618 00:28:43,400 --> 00:28:44,400 I like it. 619 00:28:44,400 --> 00:28:45,400 I like it. 620 00:28:45,400 --> 00:28:46,400 Yeah. 621 00:28:46,400 --> 00:28:47,400 Thank you. 622 00:28:47,400 --> 00:28:48,400 Thank you. 623 00:28:48,400 --> 00:28:49,400 Yeah. 624 00:28:49,400 --> 00:28:51,760 It kind of if you go to Turkey, they would accept you as one of yours. 625 00:28:51,760 --> 00:28:54,880 I think you look like a Middle Eastern type of guy. 626 00:28:54,880 --> 00:28:55,880 Yeah. 627 00:28:55,880 --> 00:28:57,200 I don't know how tall you are, but yeah. 628 00:28:57,200 --> 00:28:58,200 Yeah. 629 00:28:58,200 --> 00:28:59,200 Six one, not six ten. 630 00:28:59,200 --> 00:29:00,200 But it's okay. 631 00:29:00,200 --> 00:29:01,200 Six was pretty tall too. 632 00:29:01,200 --> 00:29:02,200 Yeah. 633 00:29:02,200 --> 00:29:03,200 It's not bad. 634 00:29:03,200 --> 00:29:04,200 Yeah, it's not bad. 635 00:29:04,200 --> 00:29:07,240 And next time I go to Istanbul, I'll have to see if they fit in. 636 00:29:07,240 --> 00:29:08,240 Yeah. 637 00:29:08,240 --> 00:29:09,240 Yeah. 638 00:29:09,240 --> 00:29:10,240 That's awesome. 639 00:29:10,240 --> 00:29:11,240 All right. 640 00:29:11,240 --> 00:29:12,240 I want to, you know, thank you so much. 641 00:29:12,240 --> 00:29:13,240 It's been a fun conversation. 642 00:29:13,240 --> 00:29:14,560 Thank you for coming on the podcast here. 643 00:29:14,560 --> 00:29:18,960 And just last sort of last couple of questions here, but what's what future plans do you 644 00:29:18,960 --> 00:29:19,960 have? 645 00:29:19,960 --> 00:29:22,760 You know, you mentioned this is your senior year, your last season here at Charleston. 646 00:29:22,760 --> 00:29:23,760 What's your goal? 647 00:29:23,760 --> 00:29:25,480 What are you going to do after this? 648 00:29:25,480 --> 00:29:31,200 I mean, I already decided that that I want to play pro basketball at what level that's 649 00:29:31,200 --> 00:29:32,200 going to be. 650 00:29:32,200 --> 00:29:33,200 It really depends on me. 651 00:29:33,200 --> 00:29:36,760 I mean, how this year goes and hopefully I can stay healthy. 652 00:29:36,760 --> 00:29:41,720 I mean, as but that's my aspiration right now to keep playing professional basketball. 653 00:29:41,720 --> 00:29:44,840 But I something I always dreamt of NBA. 654 00:29:44,840 --> 00:29:48,320 Obviously, I really cannot talk about it because it is a long shot. 655 00:29:48,320 --> 00:29:52,240 But if I ever get a chance, I'll do my best to, you know, try and see how that goes for 656 00:29:52,240 --> 00:29:53,240 me. 657 00:29:53,240 --> 00:29:56,880 But post college, I'm definitely going pro. 658 00:29:56,880 --> 00:29:59,360 So yeah, I just got to keep working on that. 659 00:29:59,360 --> 00:30:03,320 I mean, obvious, of course, NBA, you know, is the first choice. 660 00:30:03,320 --> 00:30:08,320 And I'm assuming the Lakers, you know, of course, any team would be great to be selected. 661 00:30:08,320 --> 00:30:11,520 But probably the Lakers would be your your favorite. 662 00:30:11,520 --> 00:30:12,520 Those would be. 663 00:30:12,520 --> 00:30:17,840 Yeah, if that can happen, I mean, it's it's it was my dream, you know, man, growing up 664 00:30:17,840 --> 00:30:18,840 watching them play. 665 00:30:18,840 --> 00:30:23,360 I watched the play when they were 17 and 65 and now when they're doing good. 666 00:30:23,360 --> 00:30:25,280 So it's always been my team. 667 00:30:25,280 --> 00:30:27,040 I mean, I talked about Kobe. 668 00:30:27,040 --> 00:30:28,040 He's a reason for it. 669 00:30:28,040 --> 00:30:29,040 So yeah, man. 670 00:30:29,040 --> 00:30:34,600 But yeah, I'll just keep working hard, keep playing basketball, the game that I love as 671 00:30:34,600 --> 00:30:35,600 much as I can. 672 00:30:35,600 --> 00:30:38,440 And then I'm going to, you know, embrace every moment of it. 673 00:30:38,440 --> 00:30:42,440 And college as well, I mean, we still have a season going on, so looking forward to it 674 00:30:42,440 --> 00:30:45,400 because we did some amazing things the last two years. 675 00:30:45,400 --> 00:30:46,800 I'm trying to work on it as well. 676 00:30:46,800 --> 00:30:47,800 So awesome. 677 00:30:47,800 --> 00:30:48,800 Yeah. 678 00:30:48,800 --> 00:30:50,240 Well, you're having a great year so far. 679 00:30:50,240 --> 00:30:51,240 You know, keep up the good work. 680 00:30:51,240 --> 00:30:54,720 I'm excited to see what the rest of the season brings for you and, you know, enjoy it and 681 00:30:54,720 --> 00:30:56,720 keep playing hard. 682 00:30:56,720 --> 00:30:58,600 It's awesome to watch. 683 00:30:58,600 --> 00:31:01,760 And last thing for you, and of course, you know, if you're ever in Los Angeles, let me 684 00:31:01,760 --> 00:31:03,440 know and we got to show you around. 685 00:31:03,440 --> 00:31:07,160 We got the Croatian Church and we'll show you around the. 686 00:31:07,160 --> 00:31:08,160 I would love that. 687 00:31:08,160 --> 00:31:12,840 I mean, I really never was on the West Coast before, but I really have to come and visit. 688 00:31:12,840 --> 00:31:13,840 Yeah. 689 00:31:13,840 --> 00:31:18,040 I mean, if I ever get a chance to come to LA, I'll make sure I hit you up. 690 00:31:18,040 --> 00:31:22,520 I definitely want to want to go sit with you and, you know, explore the city a little bit. 691 00:31:22,520 --> 00:31:23,520 So yeah. 692 00:31:23,520 --> 00:31:24,520 Yeah. 693 00:31:24,520 --> 00:31:25,520 Awesome. 694 00:31:25,520 --> 00:31:26,520 Thank you so much. 695 00:31:26,520 --> 00:31:30,560 Last question that I ask everyone that comes on the podcast, but what to you is special 696 00:31:30,560 --> 00:31:33,640 about Croatia or being Croatian? 697 00:31:33,640 --> 00:31:37,360 Culture, tradition. 698 00:31:37,360 --> 00:31:39,840 I'm really proud of the fact that I'm Croatian. 699 00:31:39,840 --> 00:31:42,120 I mean, it is my home for me. 700 00:31:42,120 --> 00:31:46,760 I, you know, promised myself a long time ago that no matter where I'm going to go with 701 00:31:46,760 --> 00:31:51,280 the work or whatever happens, I mean, that's where I'm going to, you know, spend my last 702 00:31:51,280 --> 00:31:52,280 days. 703 00:31:52,280 --> 00:31:56,400 So it's really so much about it that I love that I really care about. 704 00:31:56,400 --> 00:32:00,480 And, you know, Croatia is my home and that's what's really special to me about it. 705 00:32:00,480 --> 00:32:01,480 Awesome, Monta. 706 00:32:01,480 --> 00:32:04,920 Thank you so much for coming on the podcast and good luck in the rest of the season. 707 00:32:04,920 --> 00:32:05,920 Appreciate you, my guy. 708 00:32:05,920 --> 00:32:06,920 Happy Thanksgiving. 709 00:32:06,920 --> 00:32:07,920 Yeah, thank you. 710 00:32:07,920 --> 00:32:08,920 You as well. 711 00:32:08,920 --> 00:32:09,920 Take it easy. 712 00:32:09,920 --> 00:32:36,920 Thank you.