SRB - Lion Heart Radenovic dropped by Serbia & Montenegro

BELGRADE (FIBA World Championship) - Arizona Wildcat Ivan Radenovic promised to "fight like a lion" in Japan if he made Serbia & Montenegro’s final squad for the FIBA World Championship.

National team coach Dragan Sakota decided this weekend, however, to cut the promising 2.08m forward who has been suffering with a quadriceps injury.

Sakota also cited Radenovic’s commitments at the University of Arizona as one of the reasons for his departure.

"Ivan worked well, just like other guys, but there's a moment when you have to start with cutting the list,” Sakota said.

"As he has obligations at his University of Arizona, we decided to let him go earlier."

Radenovic made headlines in July after being added to the preliminary squad of the two-time defending world champions, who have failed to win a medal in the last two EuroBaskets and at the 2004 Olympics.

He had said: "If we fight for every ball, if we create an atmosphere like it used to be when we were on the top of world, results will come.

"I can just say we'll fight like lions there (in Japan)."

Sakota will be making other changes soon.

"As for the other players," he said, "I'll probably write-off some names before our trip to Singapore, where we'll face Spain, Slovenia and Argentina next week (August 11-13).

"We have many slightly injured players, but there's no doubt I'll take at least 13 guys for this tournament."

From Darko Nikolic,  PA Sport, Belgrade
Exclusively for FIBA