Šibenka Embarks on a 'New Beginning' with Youthful Energy
After a historic relegation from the Premier League, the club from Baldekin turns to young talents like 17-year-old Gabrijel Menđušić.
After a historic relegation from the Premier League, the club from Baldekin turns to young talents like 17-year-old Gabrijel Menđušić.
Basketball club Šibenka, which gave the world the legendary Dražen Petrović, suffered a historic debacle last season by being relegated from the Premier League. However, at Baldekin, they are not crying over spilled milk, the team is being assembled for the new season with the aim of returning to the elite, and the key asset will be youthful energy led by 17-year-old talent Gabrijel Menđušić.
Menđušić, who plays as a forward or power forward, already showed in his senior debut last season that he is a special player. Despite his youth, his talent has been recognized off the court as well, in 2022, he was named the most promising athlete of Šibenik-Knin County, and twice, in 2021 and 2022, he also won the title of the most promising athlete of the city of Šibenik.
His basketball journey began at OKK Dražen Petrović, and a particularly emotional moment occurred on one of the anniversaries of the basketball great's death, when Biserka Petrović gave him the captain's armband. His talent was then honed by numerous coaches, including Dražen Petrović's former coach, Miro Kotarac, as well as Dražen Kotarac, Branko Klisović, Ante Nerber, Zoran Huljev, Petar Zlatoper, Miro Jurić, current Šibenka coach Anđelko Matov, and Darko Kunce at the national team level.
Menđušić scored his first points in a Šibenka jersey against Cedevita Junior, and then experienced the thrill of playing against former three-time European champions, Split. Although last season's results were nothing to be proud of, the young basketball player looks forward with optimism.
"The game against Cedevita Junior and scoring my first points for Šibenka in senior competition is something I will remember forever, although ultimately we had no reason for satisfaction. However, the new season ahead offers new hope and optimism. I am convinced that with the fan support that will surely not be lacking, we can bring Šibenka back among the Croatian basketball elite, where it belongs in every way," said Gabrijel Menđušić for Sportske novosti.
Interestingly, both Šibenka and Split are at a sort of new beginning, albeit for the wrong reasons. While Split suffered a shameful relegation from the ABA League at Gripe and can hardly compete for trophies next season given the rosters that Cibona and Zadar are assembling, Šibenka is expected to dominate in the second tier of Croatian basketball and win the championship title. It is precisely in this that Menđušić sees an ideal opportunity for further progress and confirmation of his talent.
