C Ivan Njegovan (Official Thread)

[ScriptOhio]

BREAKING: Ohio State brings aboard Croatian center

.

www.on3.com

Ohio State brings aboard Croatian center Ivan Njegovan​

Njegovan, on the other hand, will arrive at Ohio State with four years of eligibility remaining. He’ll turn 20 on Sept. 18. Hailing from Zadar, Croatia, he’s played the last three seasons in the ABA and Croatian Premier Leagues, including for KK Bosco in the Favbet Premier League, otherwise known as the top level of Croatian professional basketball.

In 20 games with KK Bosco during the 2023-24 season, Njegovan averaged 8.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per contest.

This summer, Njegovan took part in the U20 European Championships for the Croatian National Team. He averaged 6.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per outing. That seven-game stretch culminated in an impressive performance against Bulgaria on July 21, during which he piled up 15 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks.

Njegovan will compete for playing time in the frontcourt this season at Ohio State with Kentucky transfer Aaron Bradshaw, Duke transfer Sean Stewart and returning sophomore Austin Parks. Now the Buckeyes have three pure centers in Bradshaw, Parks and Njegovan.

Ivan NJEGOVAN​

Center​

Birth: 18 Sep 2004 (age 19)​

Height: 213cm / 7'1"​

24/7
ProBallers
EURO Basket

 

[ScriptOhio]

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

An eastern European? Look like Roslovic Construction must be having a good year.

(I'm just going to assume this guy is the next Nikola Jokic and get my hopes way too high for what he is going to contribute.)

 

[CMic]

Well, he can shoot.

 

[DZ83CK]

Well, he can shoot.

For sure. I think that's a big part of why Diebler wanted to go the Euro route, he wants everyone to be a shooter and capable of playing on the perimeter offensively. Not easy to find a 7-footer who can shoot, and if he works hard & spends 4 years in college, he can become a real weapon offensively. His height and length obviously help on D as well, but I'm sure his offensive skillset is the main reason he's been chosen by the staff.

 

[Thump]

 

[colobuck79]

I think his low post footwork looks better than we have seen since Sully.

 

[calibuck]

From what I've seen with basketball in this year's Olympics, it appears that the rest of the world has/is catching up with the USA. Seems to be a bit of thuggery on the court, not certain whether it's the style of play overseas, or them just trying to intimidate the Americans. However, back to the point, have seen some very good play from 'other' countries, and if I'm reading things right, Ivan has been in a 'pro' league (which assume means he's being paid to play basketball), so he might be farther along the curve than the average 18 year old recruit. PS, he looks a tad older than a HSer.