Mega’s shooting guard Urban Kroflic sat down with our Scout, Ata Toprak Kosal, for an interview after the FIBA U18 EuroBasket. 18-year-old Slovenian had good tournament and helped his team to claim the bronze medal.
Let’s get the talk started
We recently wrapped up FIBA U18 EuroBasket. How was the tournament for you in general?
I think generally it was great for us even though we lost in the semi finals. I mean, we won six games and lose 1. We came home with the medal. So, it was it was really great for us.
I want to go back a little. How you started to play basketball?
I started because of my dad. I used to play soccer and then my dad always told me to try basketball because I was taller than everybody. One day we went to the court on the back in my hometown and I started to shoot a little bit and I liked it. And I went to change from football to basketball.
You answered a little bit, have you tried any sports other than basketball?
Sometimes in the summer when I was younger, maybe I played a little bit of volleyball as well, but that’s it. On the beach. That’s it.
How was the basketball culture in Slovenia when you started to play basketball?
I started to play basketball when I was 6, but at that time I think it was not that big thing as now because there was Goran Dragic for an idol. And now I think the kids starts basketball because of Luca, he made a big impact on basketball. I think now kids are more introduced to basketball and they love basketball more than we were younger.
You attended BwB last year and EuroCamp this summer and ANGTs more than once. These are the international competitions with the clubs, how can you evaluate these experiences?
They were great, all of them. I think, my first ANGT was when I was 16. So yes, I started to play very young and from time you get experiences to know the game a little bit more and it helps you a lot. So it helped me a lot through time to recognize a little bit more the game, the situations.
You are playing in the team that focusing on young players. Can you explain us the Mega factory from your view?
They are focusing young players, on us, to develop ourselves to get better every day. They mind if we lose, but they don’t mind that much. You know, we just to get better and get better every day. And at the end, I think through the years it shows that why they are, why Mega is best club for young players to develop.
What would you say is the the most underrated aspect of your game?
Probably they knew me more as a scorer. Now I started to realize more than game is not just scoring points, I mean involving your teammates and the game is more beautiful to watch when it’s five of them can score. So, probably this was the best thing I learned this year. To assist, to help my teammates and not do everything by myself.
What do you feel you need to improve the most in your play?
Well, I think, I have a lot of room to improve. I don’t know that much on offensive end, but there is probably more defensively for sure.
What are the main improvement areas you are focusing on this summer?
Probably the finishing around the rim. They always told me that. I mean, I do everything when I get the ball, and when I have to finish I couldn’t do it sometimes. Missed the layup, the easiest thing after you get through the defense. But now I think on the European Championship, I think I improved a little bit…
What are your short term goals?
I’m the youngest one on the team. It’s me and Jack Kayil. So, I think I have to start from zero again to work harder than everyone and I can get some minutes then. I want to have a good season, hopefully without any injuries, without any pain and then we will see how it’ll go.
Would you describe yourself as an introvert or extrovert?
I can say, I am a social guy.
Do you have idols who you watch highlights of him?
Goran Dragic or Luka Doncic. And across the world… I like Stephen Curry because of his shooting ability. I also like Kostas Sloukas and Kendrick Nunn as well.
