SRB - Bogdanovic getting help in jump to big show

LJUBLJANA (EuroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Some countries are forced to rebuild their national team programs after a certain amount of time. Serbia, however, just re-load and Bogdan Bogdanovic is just another example of the Balkan nation's seemingly endless supply of young talent.

The 21-year-old Belgrade native has played a major role in Dusan Ivkovic's team at EuroBasket 2013 - the youngest squad in Slovenia with an average age of 24.2 years.

Despite having seven players 22 years or under, Serbia have all but guaranteed a spot in the Quarter-Finals in Slovenia after knocking off a resilient Belgium 76-69 on Wednesday to improve to 3-0 in the second round Group E.

"We felt some pressure of qualifying to the Quarter-Finals,” admitted Bogdanovic after the win.

"Right now we are happy because we won a tough and nervous game. We started so nervous in this game. We made too many bad decisions and turnovers."

Serbia's talent eventually shined through - regardless of age.

"Age has no meaning in Serbia. If you are 16 or 17 or 18 years, you have the tradition to play these kids. They find talent constantly, generation after generation. This is tradition," said Belgium coach Eddy Casteels.

He also pointed out that the Serbian youngsters have the luxury of being coached by an absolute legend in Ivkovic.

"Their leader is on the bench. And he shows them the way. He knows what it's all about and what these young talents need. They don't play like young kids. They don't play like top talents. They play top level basketball."

Bogdanovic has averaged 9.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists in the tournament. But the guard has stepped up his game in the last two contests, collecting 13.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists against Montenegro and Belgium.

Besides the boss on the sidelines, the Partizan Belgrade talent also said star center Nenad Krstic has been a great help to him and his young teammates.

"He helps us with so much experience. He has played in the NBA and for so many great teams in Europe. And he has played with the national team for so many years,” Bogdanovic said of Krstic.

Bogdanovic himself took a major step last season, gaining invaluable experience in the Adriatic League and Euroleague after playing the summer of 2012 for Serbia at the U20 European Championship.

"I played last year here (in Slovenia) at the U20s and this is another step for me in my career," said the 1.97m guard/forward who helped Serbia to finish fourth at the 2012 youth tournament and silver at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championship.

"It's really the big show now. I love being here and am so happy."

Serbian fans are also happy having Bodganovic in the big team - and the other parts of the re-loading.

For full and in-depth coverage of EuroBasket 2013, go to the official website http://www.eurobasket2013.org.

FIBA