LJUBLJANA (FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers) - New Slovenia national team head coach Igor Kokoskov experienced first-hand at the weekend the weight of responsibility that comes with the role and reassured Slovenian media that he relishes the challenge.

Kokoskov, who is a member of the Utah Jazz coaching staff, took advantage of the NBA All-Star Game break to travel to Ljubljana for his official presentation by the Slovenian Basketball Federation (KZS).

The 44-year-old Serbian-born coach agreed to terms with KZS on 18 January to lead Slovenia through the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers next summer, with their collaboration automatically prolonged in the event 'Junaki' punch their ticket to the showcase event.

"The standards are set, expectations are high, so this it is a great challenge for any coach and I'm happy I can be a part of this team," Kokoskov said at the press conference.

"We have already discussed a lot with KZS about the organization of the team with the aim to prepare the best possible conditions and put together a great team in the qualifying."

The KZS and Kokoskov have made remarkable progress in that respect during the short period of time he has been at the helm, since they have already laid out a preliminary preparation schedule for the summer.

Slovenia are to take part in a warm-up tournament in Vienna from 12 to 14 August, with the participation also of Poland, Iceland and hosts Austria.

The 'Junaki' have also pencilled in two friendly games at home, against The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on 24 August and against Montenegro on 27 August.

"As every year, the KZS is trying to ensure that national team players and staff enjoy the highest quality preparation possible," said Matjaz Smodis, who is now the Sports Director of the Slovenian men's national teams.

"Training camp will start on 20 July and we're also negotiating a few more warm-up games, which will be announced soon.

"I am glad that the coach responded to our invitation and came to Ljubljana, because this will help us finalise several points which we have already discussed by phone and e-mail."

Kokoskov and the KZS have also compiled a shortlist of candidates for the assistant coach positions and expect to announce the final composition of the national team coaching staff soon.

The new Slovenia boss revealed that Rado Trifunovic, Aleksander Sekulic and Jaka Lakovic, who retired from international duty after FIBA EuroBasket 2013 and is looking to commence a coaching career, are the frontrunners for these roles.

Slovenia were drawn in Group E of the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers and will go up against Bulgaria, Kosovo and Ukraine in home and away games from 31 August to 17 September.