Captain Kangaroo Posted October 18, 2007 Report Share Posted October 18, 2007 The University of Akron basketball team recently received a verbal commitment for Serbian-born Nikola Cventinovic (Ven-TIN-o-vich). Nikola came to the United States 1 ½ years ago and is beginning his second year at Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg Virginia.While possessing a nice outside touch, the 6’ 7” 225lb forward isn’t your typical Euro player. His strength lies in his role as a banger. Projected to play power forward for the Zips beginning in the fall of 2008, he’s extremely intelligent and a vocal floor leader who excels on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. And, he can throw down a mean dunk!A former soccer standout, Nikola already possesses some advanced footwork. Active, aggressive, frequently diving for loose balls…he’s certainly from a different mold than the Zips last Euro recruit, the immortal Klaus Zollner.How’d this youngster from the former Yugoslavia get to Akron? Was KD scouring the rugged Serpian terrain in search of the MAC's next Szczerbiak? Not quite.The Zips were apparently recruiting a teammate of Nikola’s. As occasionally happens, when you watch tapes of one player, a teammate unexpectedly catches your eye. While recruiting Virginia Episcopal’s Brian Irwin (sp?), it seemed the more tape and performances that were reviewed, the more Nikola stood out.Euro kids typically take a year or more to adjust to the more physical style of play we see “state-side.” Learning the American game as a Junior last year, he was still amongst his team’s leaders in most statistical categories. 12.5ppg, 6rpg and 2 steals/game. If you look as Virginia Episcopal’s roster, where most graduates earn college scholarships...many to major conferences, that’s pretty impressive. Nikola played his AAU ball for East Coast Scholar Athletes. Most of their games were in the south, hence he received heavy recruiting interest from such schools as Appalachian State, Davidson and Eastern Kentucky. And Vermont(?).Nikola dropped his soccer aspirations for his senior season and is solely focusing on basketball. Look for him to take his hoops game to another level this year...and then it's off to the JAR for the 2008 debut of "The Serbian Szczerbiak!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopper Posted October 18, 2007 Report Share Posted October 18, 2007 Nice catch CK. Lets hope he blossoms and the Zips get lucky and steal one from the big guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziptrumpet87 Posted October 18, 2007 Report Share Posted October 18, 2007 previously posted... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akronad Posted October 18, 2007 Report Share Posted October 18, 2007 I will believe when I know his signature is on the dotted line. Too many times, I have heard or knew players that had verbally committed to this school or that school, and by the time it came for signings, another school has swooped in , promising the moon and the player committs to that school.It will be an excellent catch if he does sign with us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted October 18, 2007 Report Share Posted October 18, 2007 I will believe when I know his signature is on the dotted line. Too many times, I have heard or knew players that had verbally committed to this school or that school, and by the time it came for signings, another school has swooped in , promising the moon and the player committs to that school.Fox Mulder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted October 18, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2007 previously posted...Thanks for including that previous post. It is greatly appreciated...that's where I first leaned of the verbal. FYI - The info for my post was obtained from interviews with people who've seen him play, not from any web sites. If the ZipsNation hoops fans like that type of info, I will continue posting similar stories. It's fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted October 19, 2007 Report Share Posted October 19, 2007 The info for my post was obtained from interviews with people who've seen him play, not from any web sites.Good scoop, but how did you obtain the photo? Looks like coach is growing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted October 22, 2007 Report Share Posted October 22, 2007 previously posted...Thanks for including that previous post. It is greatly appreciated...that's where I first leaned of the verbal. FYI - The info for my post was obtained from interviews with people who've seen him play, not from any web sites. If the ZipsNation hoops fans like that type of info, I will continue posting similar stories. It's fun.CK - keep bringing us interviews! The Beacon gives us absolutely no human interest stories about Zips players! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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