Ex-captain Nesterovic now leads off the court for Slovenia

LJUBLJANA - Radoslav Nesterovic had a long and successful career as a basketball player.

Not only did he play for big clubs in Europe and also compete in the NBA, where he won a title with the San Antonio Spurs in 2005, but the giant center also served as Slovenia's national team captain for several years.

Now the former pivot is hoping to have a towering presence with Slovenia's Basketball Federation (KZS) after being named as its new Secretary General.

The executive board of the federation has confirmed the appointment.

"I want to use my contacts... to make progress," he said. "Here I have in mind foremost bolstering activities in youth development, given that the broader region is having problems with player development."

Nesterovic had been working as a Vice-President for the national federation and had a big presence at EuroBasket 2013, which Slovenia hosted.

He succeeds Iztok Rems, a former referee who served as secretary general for nearly two decades.

Nesterovic was the captain of Slovenia from 2003 until 2008 and helped his country become one of the most competitive on the old continent.

He had a huge presence in 2007 when the Slovenians almost reached the Semi-Finals of the EuroBasket in Spain.

KZS President Matej Erjavec welcomed Nesterovic's appointment, saying: "Our federation will continue with the same vision - to promote basketball nationwide, especially among the youngsters and cooperate in the making of European and World Basketball together with FIBA, FIBA Europe and all federations."

FIBA