By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Mario Hezonja emerged as the headliner in a list of 15 players called up by the Croatian Basketball Federation, HKS, on Saturday.
Alongside national teams around the world in their respective continents, Josip Sesar’s side is heading to the next FIBA window and hoping to clinch a berth in the 2025 EuroBasket.
“We waited to announce the list of players due to Cup games in several countries, simply to avoid potential changes due to injuries,” mentioned the selector of the senior national team of Croatia.
Indeed, Filip Bundovic and Marko Ramljak were late scratches due to injuries.
Croatia’s roster
- Luka Bozic (Hiopos Lleida)
- Danko Brankovic (FC Bayern Munich)
- Dario Dreznjak (Vanoli Cremona)
- Mateo Dreznjak (Buducnost VOLI)
- Mario Hezonja (Real Madrid)
- Antonio Jordano (Split)
- Borna Kapusta (Split)
- Marin Maric (Sichuan Blue Whales)
- Dominik Mavra (Rio Breogan)
- Toni Perkovic (Unieuro Forli)
- Kresimir Radovcic (Cibona)
- Antonio Sikiric (Zabok)
- Jaleen Smith (Bahcesehir Koleji)
- Luka Samanic (Baskonia)
- David Skara (Split)
At 2-2 in Group E, Croatia is tied with Bosnia-Herzegovina and two games behind France, before hosting Les Bleus in Zadar on February 21 and visiting Cyprus in Nicosia on February 24. Two tickets to the EuroBasket are available in a three-way race since Cyprus secured an automatic berth as one of the four hosts of this summer’s tournament.
Players currently competing for a Cup with their teams at the club level, including Hezonja and Brankovic, might be forced to miss the start of a brief training camp, as noted by Sesar.
“We can’t wait to get going,” said the head coach of Croatia.
Photo Credit: FIBA