2006-born 6’9” forward Miloš Šojić had a glue-guy type of showing on the U18 FIBA stage in Tampere this summer, bringing two-way value to an intriguing Serbian team. He almost averaged a double-double throughout the event (12.3 PPG and 8.9 RPG) and showed his best game at the right time in the quarterfinal, leading his team to victory against Belgium with a 23-point, 12-rebound performance.
Pro Insight’s Florian Kurth met with the BC Beko forward for a conversation, following his positive showing at U18 EuroBasket to discuss his strengths and weakness, off-court interests, the possibility of attending college in the U.S., and much more.
For the next installment of the Pro Insight Q&A series, we present U18 Euros silver medalist Miloš Šojić from Belgrade, Serbia:
Pro Insight: What was your impression of the U18 Euros in Finland this summer?
Miloš Šojić: I was left with a great impression, it remains a pity for the Final that we did not take the gold. But it is still a success to be 2nd in Europe.
PI: What does it mean to you to play for your nation?
MS: For me it is a great honor, and somehow I feel like I am representing myself and all the people around me.
PI: How would you rate your own performance there?
MS: I think I had a good role and part, but I always think it can be better.
PI: How did you initially get into basketball?
MS: I practiced all sports since I was little, but I decided to switch from football to basketball when I saw how much bigger I was than my friends and what I felt the first time I put the ball in the basket.
PI: Tell us something about your family background.
MS: I was born in Trebinje, and I originally come from the Serbian town of Gacko in Bosnia and Herzegovina. But I moved to Belgrade very early with my family when I was 6 months old.
PI: Do you have any other professionals in your family?
MS: My dad is a former basketball player, while my older sister plays volleyball in college in America.
PI: What do you like to do whenever you have an off day? Any other hobbies?
MS: There is no other hobby for me — if I have a day off, I try to get as much sleep as possible, rest and probably watch another game and league.
PI: What do you think will be your primary position, long term?
MS: I see myself as a power forward, but I think I can cover both center and small forward. And that this is my advantage.
PI: How would you describe your game and playstyle to someone that has never seen you play?
MS: That I am very competitive — good at both ends of the field. And not to miss that opportunity.
PI: What would you say is your biggest strength and weakness right now?
MS: I think that my biggest advantage is that I can guard players smaller than me, and as a disadvantage I haven't started going to the gym, yet.
PI: How would you say you are most impacting winning for your team?
MS: I consider myself an influence based on my energy and commitment in any way I can to help us win.
PI: Do you have a development focus in individual workouts right now?
MS: At the moment, my peers are all trying to work in the gym, while I am trying with my trainer Nenad, to work as much as possible on body mobility and speeding it up.
PI: Can you imagine going to college in the U.S. one day?
MS: Of course I can. I like the way they work with young boys and I am sure, I would fit perfectly because I am used to spending a lot of time on the court every single day.
PI: What is your long term goal regarding your basketball career?
MS: My major goal is to become a professional player. Nobody can really determine what my limits are. Thus, I have been putting a lot of effort to push these limits as far as possible. At the same time, I try every day to overcome myself in this constant progression of mine.
PI: On which level do you see yourself in 5 years?
MS: I think that every one of my peers would say NBA, but if I work every day and give myself 100%, that everything is possible. So we'll see.
PI: Do you listen to music?
MS: If we talk about music, that's really important for me. Literally, in any genre I find myself, I will be focused on music, because if I'm not on the basketball court, I'm listening to music.
PI: Do you like to watch basketball on TV?
MS: I watch it every day, from the Serbian leagues to the NBA, I literally watch every league.
PI: Who is the most important person in your life?
MS: Besides my family, which is very important to me in supporting and growing up, I should not forget coach Nenad Petronica, who has been with me since I was little. He taught me everything from behavior in my personal life to various basketball moves on the court. A true friend.
PI: What are your goals for the season?
MS: At the moment, I am focused on my club BC Beko and to play the best possible season and try to get into a higher rank.
PI: Last question: describe yourself with only a few words.
MS: As an ambitious and striving player, I try to make my personal and basketball victories a part of my everyday life.
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