New coach Slaven Rimac has gathered the team at the Zamet hall with a clear goal, building a long-term project based on young players from the Academy. The first preseason game is scheduled for August 22 against Zabok.
In the Zamet hall in Rijeka, a new era for the Kvarner basketball club officially began yesterday. New coach Slaven Rimac has assembled a team that will soon be joined by center Obrad Tomić and 16-year-old Fran Strahija, who is currently competing with the Croatian U-16 national team at the EuroBasket B Division in North Macedonia.
The Rijeka side hasn't been this young in a long time. The core of "true seniors" consists of Josip Barnjak, Marko Baković, Lovre Bašić, and 22-year-old Luka Krajnović. The rest of the roster will be filled by juniors led by national team players Matej Lauš and Tomislav Vučković, who are already part of the plans for the upcoming season.
Rimac's approach has been clear from day one, young players won't just be numbers at practice. "Three or four players from the Academy will definitely get playing time. That's why we signed players in a way that doesn't block the path for Academy players, so in a way we're 'forced' to use them more," Rimac told Novi list.
He placed special emphasis on young Fran Strahija, who celebrated his 16th birthday about ten days ago. "When it comes to Fran, he can already physically match the others at this level, and I see him as someone who trains with us, and if he proves he can handle the senior program, of course he'll get his chances," Rimac added.
Rimac also reflected on his time at Cibona, where he worked with the generation that produced Dario Šarić, Ivica Zubac, and Ante Žižić. "My first goal is to make a good selection and have it bring through three or four young players. From my experience, we had to stand behind Šarić, Zubac, and Žižić and give them a chance. But when you make a serious selection and lay good foundations, the result turns out well no matter how you look at it," he said.
He stressed that these young men aren't too young for the Premier League. "We look at every young player from a physical standpoint, can they match up physically, and then the psychological profile is important. These kids with us can all physically match the rest of the Premier League."
Together with sports director Davor Kus, Rimac is working on bringing in two more players. "We need one player for the high post and one guard. Not necessarily for results, but for the quality of training and, God forbid, injuries," the coach explained. One of the two will likely be an American.
Rimac believes it's beneficial for young players to have a foreigner on the team: "I think it's better for young players to be on a team with one foreigner because then they have to speak another language, build a relationship with that person, and break down some prejudices and barriers. I believe many of these players will get offers to go to college in the US next year or in two years, so this situation will serve them well now."
He also commented on the recent Junior EuroBasket B Division held in Rijeka and Opatija. "From the perspective of my players, I'm sorry Matej Lauš didn't manage to establish himself as a more important player. Tomislav Vučković made the most of his opportunity, although I no longer see him in the realm of young players. For me, he's already at the senior level physically and has shown what he can do," Rimac concluded.
Rimac's coaching staff includes assistants Antonio Jurković and Siniša Štemberger, with youth coach Jakov Kalac also helping during preparations. Kvarner will play seven preseason games, with the first scheduled for August 22 against Zabok.
