New KK Zadar head coach gathered 16 players for the first training session at the Višnjik Sports Center, with negotiations underway for a center and one more player. Returnees Šare and Drežnjak back in club colors.
In the small hall of the Višnjik Sports Center on Monday, the senior team of KK Zadar officially began preparations for the new season. The first roll call was led by new head coach Stipe Modrić, who welcomed 16 players at the initial training session, with Vladimir Mihailović and junior national team player Frane Bajković excused.
Among the group of players who took to the court were well-known names such as captain Marko Ramljak, Krševan Klarica, and Lovre Buljević. Special attention was drawn by returnees Niko Šare, who returned after two seasons with Cedevita Junior, and Dario Drežnjak, while new faces in the locker room are American point guard Ross Williams and Ivan Vučić.
The rest of the team consisted of young talents: Manuel Dundović, Toni Torbarina, Andro Mirčeta, Luka Gulan, Luka Bičić, Alexander Božiković, Luka Jerak, Luka Brajković, and Bruno Baričević.
The native of Sinj, who succeeded Danijel Jusup on the bench, did not hide his optimism in front of gathered journalists but emphasized that the roster is not yet complete.
"Finally, preparations have started, as you can see we are not yet complete because we are in the process of bringing in a center and probably one more player. Our primary focus is to find a solution for the center position; we are currently in negotiations and I can say we are close to an agreement, and we should finalize it during this week," Modrić told Zadarski list.
He added that there are still funds in the budget for a second player, and the decision on his position will also depend on how many young players make it to the first team.
The coach is particularly pleased with the work of a group of seven to eight young players who have already been in the preparation program for a week.
"They trained well and I am satisfied with that. Not all of them will be able to join the first team again; in conversation with them, we will see what is best for the club and what is best for them. Some will stay, some will go on loan; we haven't made a final decision yet," Modrić said.
It is expected that two or three young players will earn senior status in the upcoming season.
Preparations will gradually intensify, and Modrić announced the plan for the coming weeks.
"We will start slowly, first the basics, conditioning, diagnostics, and then we will increase the tempo day by day. Our first friendly matches will be at the end of August at the Knežević Memorial, after that we should play a few games in Slovenia, and to finish we will have the Liburnija Cup," he said.
In total, Zadar should play six to seven friendly matches before the season starts.
Captain Marko Ramljak is aware of the challenges ahead for the team but believes in a successful adaptation.
"A bit more changes than in previous years, there will be a new game system, so there will be quite a few new things, and it's up to us to adapt as soon as possible. I hope for good preparations and that we will be ready for the season and have something to offer our fans," Ramljak emphasized.
Niko Šare has a special motivation for returning to his home club, as this will be his debut senior season in a Zadar jersey.
"It's a dream of every Zadar kid to play in the senior Zadar jersey. For me, this will be a debut season in that sense; I expect us to work well and train hard and to gel as quickly as possible," the young player said.
