KK ZAGREB

ROSTER

- OZBOLT, SASO G 1.88 - GARRETT, DIANTE G 1.93 - DIASSE, PAPA C 2.12 - RIKIC, ROBERT C 2.18 4 MULAOMEROVIC, D. G 1.95 5 MASIC, ANTE F 1.98 6 HALILOVIC, MIRALEM F 2.05 7 SIMON, KRUNOSLAV G 1.97 8 HEZONJA, MARIO G 1.98 9 BABIC, PETAR G 1.90 10 KASUN, MARIO C 2.11 12 SARIC, DARIO F 2.05 15 NOVACIC, IVAN F 2.02 16 BASLJAN, FILIP F 1.96 17 RANCIC, DAMIR F 1.97 24 PROSTAN, TONI G 1.91 42 HEYTVELT, JOSHUA F 2.11 Head Coach: BURIC, IVICA

Historic Results 2003-04: 2-8, Eurocup RS

2010-11 Results Adriatic League: 5th Place Croatian League: Champion Croatian Cup: Champion

KK Zagreb Croatia osiguranje looks to continue its fantastic run in 2011. After a historic campaign in which the team won the Croatian League crown for the first time and also added the Croatian Cup, the club plans to show what it is worth in its first ever Turkish Airlines Euroleague appearance. Head coach Ivica Buric took over the team late last season and now will get a chance to lead it on the big stage, while KK Zagreb becomes the first team to bring Europe’s premier basketball competiton to the beautiful 15,000-seat Zagreb Arena. Even though it is the club’s debut at this level, the Ants have an interesting mix of players with Euroleague experience, such as Damir Mulaomerovic, Saso Ozbolt and Mario Kasun, plus players in their prime who grew up with the club like team captain Krunoslav Simon. In addition to this experienced core, Zagreb roster also features two promising American rookies and two teenage superstars – the tournament MVPs of the last two U16 European Championships – Dario Saric and Mario Hezonja.



Zagreb will put a lot of faith into the hands of team captain Krunoslav Simon, who is a crafty left-handed scorer that can play both guard positions. Simon has spent his entire career with the club and now, at age 26, will have the honor of leading it in this historic season. His backcourt partner is veteran point guard Damir Mulaomerovic, who has many years of experience at this level, including winning the Euroleague title in 2002 with Panathinaikos. Mulaomerovic thought about retirement at the end of last season, but decided to come back for one more Euroleague adventure and to once again put his vintage pick-and-roll skills to the test against the best teams in Europe. Rookie point guard Diante Garrett will compete for the starting job with his great size and ability to run the floor. Zagreb also strengthened its backcourt with the addition of shooting guard Saso Ozbolt, who brings with him experience, a strong one-on-one game and great personality. Young star Mario Hezonja might see limited action, since the back court is rounded out with sweet shooter Damir Rancic and combo-guard Petar Babic, who troubles opposing players with his relentless defense.

The highly-athletic front court features big-man Mario Kasun in the middle. He returns to the team to take the bulk of the minutes underneath the basket where he dominates with his athleticism and big frame. Kasun will be paired with his good friend Josh Heytvelt. The power forward got the taste of Euroleague last season with Lottomatica Roma before moving to Zagreb and helping the club win two trophies. Heytvelt is a strong inside player, but is also a scoring threat from downtown. Papa Ndiaga Diasse of Senegal brings even more athleticism to this group, while another great athlete and defensive weapon is Ante Masic, who can play either forward position. Power forward Miralem Halilovic should benefit from playing behind those guys, while one of the biggest teenage stars in the sport, Dario Saric, who was last year’s Nike International Junior Tournament MVP, should get the chance to display his mind-blowing talent for the first time in the Euroleague at age 17.

After years of raising numerous young talents, now it is finally time for KK Zagreb to take the biggest stage in European basketball. Zagreb will compete in Turkish Airlines Euroleague Group B against three former Euroleague champions for a spot in the Top 16 and it promises to be exciting every step of the way.

VIDEOS Damir Rancic Ivica Buric Diante Garrett