By Bilal Baran Yardimci/ info@eurohoops.net
Marko Guduric sat down with Eurohoops to talk about Fenerbahce Beko preparing to compete in the Final Four of the 2024-25 installment of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, but the discussion also went to similarities between his NBA path to a potential jump of teammate Tarik Biberovic to the league based in North America.
The 30-year-old Serbian winger is heading to a fourth appearance in the championship-crowning tournament of Europe’s premier club continental competition, all with Fener, and is looking for his first championship.
“Every year is different. You are more experienced, older. We feel good, comfortable, happy that we are finally healthy,” he previewed the challenge between May 23 and 25 in Abu Dhabi.
Despite his experience in demanding situations, both with the team based in Istanbul and with the senior national team of Serbia, Guduric confirmed leadership duties to head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius.
“I don’t like this word,” he told Eurohoops about being called a leader, “It’s a team game.”
“I think the best thing is on the court, trying to set the tone and put everyone in a good position. And then, obviously, communication. But for us, it starts with Saras,” he continued, “He’s the one doing the most talking, and then all of us try to follow what he wants from us. It’s a good thing for me, too. I learned a lot in these two years, working with him. I’m just happy to be able to be in this position.”
Coming off a bronze medal in the Olympic Games 2024, starting the winter schedule at the club level was complicated.
“At the beginning of the year, it was very challenging. I joined the team late because of the Olympic Games. We had a lot of new guys and then during the season we signed a few more guys,” he said, “Once you pick up and understand the system, it becomes easier for everyone. Then you start to play well. Everyone is happy. When we are sharing the ball, everyone is taking the shots. You build this chemistry. It’s also the things we do off the court, but, to be honest, we do not have much time.”
“I think this can really help us in the Final Four, in tough situations,” he added on the relationships built between the players.
In a rematch of last season’s Final Four Semifinals, his side faces defending champion Panathinaikos Aktor to start the journey in Etihad Arena next Friday.
“You never know. It’s one game. It’s really 50-50. But they are the favorites, to be honest, because they are the champs, and they beat us twice this year. But this can be good for us, to start the game well, step up, to bring our physicality. And we have to be the team that wants it more. They are the champions. We want to be them,” he previewed the matchup with the Greens, “If you want to be the champion, we must beat the champions.”
“Let’s focus on the Final Four and try to win. That’s really what I am trying to do now,” he replied to a question about possibly exploring other options during the offseason, “There are a lot of rumors and talks, and stuff like that, but I’m trying to stay as focused as possible on the goal. That’s to win the EuroLeague. And then we’ll see.”
Teammate Biberovic is a candidate to join the Memphis Grizzlies, the former NBA team of Guduric. The 24-year-old winger was selected with the 56th overall pick of the 2023 NBA draft and his NBA rights have stayed in Memphis.
“Now you see the results of those hours and hours spent in the gym,” the experienced winger praised the development and determination of Biberovic, “If I’m Fener, I’m obviously trying to keep Tarik, but for him, personally, it’s going to be his decision and of his family, whatever is best for them. I told him, if there is an opportunity, maybe you should try.”
“No regrets,” he stressed about his experience in the NBA amounting to 44 appearances with the Grizzlies during the 2019-20 Regular Season, “Everything happens for a reason in life. I really believe that. God knows why that happens. I actually learned a lot during that period. It helped me to mature and grow. I’m thankful for everything.”
Marko Guduric on Eurohoops TV
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net