BROOKLYN (FIBA EuroBasket 2017) - Go back to the start of the summer of international basketball in 2016 and draw up a list of MVP candidates. Right at or near the top, you would no doubt have the name of Bojan Bogdanovic of Croatia.

From his team's successful FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) campaign in Turin, Italy, to its Quarter-Final appearance at the Rio de Janeiro Games, Bogdanovic was a model of excellence.

He averaged 24.2 points and of course hit a memorable 3-pointer late in the decisive OQT game against Italy that punched Croatia's ticket to Rio.

His teammate, Dario Saric, earned the MVP honor for the OQT. Yet Saric, after that thrilling game that went to overtime, said of Bogdanovic: "Bojan is our best player."

Bogdanovic, 27, then travelled to South America and had what can best be described as a Superman-like performance to help his country reach the Quarter-Finals.

His 3-point shooting, which had not been impressive at the OQT, was 45 percent (18 of 40) for the tournament in Brazil.

Only once, in his team's narrow defeat to Argentina in their second game, did the Brooklyn Nets marksman score less than 22 points. He had 18 in that setback.

Croatia's dreams of a medal were dashed when Serbia beat them in the Quarter-Finals, 86-83. Bogdanovic very nearly led his team to victory in that contest, pouring in 28 points.

So the Croatia that performed so woefully at EuroBasket 2015, and the Bogdanovic that was not much of a factor, were nowhere to be found in 2016. It was a better Croatia led by coach Aco Petrovic and a much better Bogdanovic.

Bogdanovic had 33 points in a win over Brazil

"Starting with those two months after Joe Johnson left the Nets (he was waived in late February), this summer has been my best period of playing basketball," Bogdanovic said to Sportske Novosti. "I got a lot of confidence, Aco gave it to me by his actions giving me freedom to attack, and from teammates."

Bogdanovic was more than just a leader on the court. He and other veterans were more influential in the changing room, too.

"We realized that we are the ones who need to raise our voice in the locker room, do all that we could throughout these Games," he said. "Who knows when the opportunity will be back," he said.

The Brooklyn Nets are going to be giddy about the return of Bogdanovic for this season, knowing that he is now supremely confident. Croatia will also be excited to get their star back next summer for FIBA EuroBasket 2017.

With Bogdanovic playing his best and Saric continuing to take his game to new heights by playing in the NBA this season with Philadelphia, the outlook is brighter than ever for this national team.

FIBA