Around one month ago coach Jure Zdovc named the list of potential players for the upcoming basketball world championship. Coach Zdovc has called up a couple of younger players as some of the more experienced have decided to retire from the national team. It is absolutely clear though that Goran Dragić will be the undisputed number one and key player in Zdovc's team. Some basketball players ended their season two months ago, others just recently. Others yet again are already sweating in training. Slovenia's B-team got together for the first time this year. The selection of young players – already training in full swing - will (most likely) give 5 more names, which would compete for a spot in the 12-member A-team.

G. Dragić without competition
Statistically Goran Dragič, who excelled in the NBA League, stood out the most in the past season. He significantly improved all his statistics, which also led to him receiving the NBA Most Improved Player award. The older of the two Dragić brothers had a good shooting year scoring more than 20 points per game on average. The native of Ljubljana was also Phoenix's number one name. At the end the Phoenix Suns narrowly missed out on the playoffs. Goran Dragić, also known as Gogi, also shined at last year's Eurobasket and was named in the All Tournament Team.

His younger brother Zoran Dragić has also become Unicaja's key player. Zoran also shined at the last Eurobasket tournament. He did struggle with injuries this season which is why is ended his season earlier. But he did have give excellent performances – especially in the Euroleague. Erazem Lorbek and Boštjan Nachbar also had successful seasons in Spain. Lorbek returned from injury in December and soon became one of Barcelona's most important players. Meanwhile Boštjan Nachbar played his first season for Barcelona. His performances in Spain indicate that coach Zdovc could very well still need him, although Nachbar has already decided to retire from national competition. Barcelona finished the season by winning the Spanish championship. Uroš Slokar also played well in Spain after signing with Estudiantes earlier this year. He ended up playing one of his best seasons in recent years.

Serious injury for Vidmar
Gašper Vidmar won the title with Fenerbahce in the mighty Turkish league. However last February he suffered a knee injury and is thus lost for the Basketball World Cup. His absence under the rim will be sorely felt. Before his injury Vidmar played great in Fenerbahce's team made up of stars. Domen Lorbek was one of the key players of the team from Gaziantep, which was led by coach Jure Zdovc. The team's results excelled upon the arrival of the Slovenian duo. Klemen Prepelič's Banvit topped the league in the first half of the season, however in the second half Slovenia's young player didn't see much action in the team from Bandirma. Two more power forwards also played well in Turkey, Miha Zupan and Jure Balažič.

Jaka Blažič, who played well in the preparation matches before last year's Eurobasket, experienced his first season abroad. He played well in Red Star Belgrade in the Euroleague and the Eurocup. They also did well in the ABA League until the final tournament where they lost in the semi-finals. At the end they also lost the finals of the Serbian championship. However despite everything Blažič was one of the leading figures in the team throughout the season.

Those with experience could still be of use to the national team
Among those who have decided to retire from national basketball, apart from Nachbar, good performances were also given by the former national team captain Jaka Lakovič in Italy, and by Primož Brezec in Russia, who also had difficulties due to injuries. Saša Vujačić had a modest season in Italy where he did play a few games, after unsuccessfully trying to find work in the NBA, where he did have a ten-day contract with the L.A Clippers. Beno Udrih also had an average season changing a number of teams. He played for the N.Y Knicks and the Memphis Grizzlies this season, for which he played best in the playoffs.

In Slovenia it was the Krka basketball club that won the double crown. Jaka Klobučar and Edo Murić played well for Krka. They're both candidates for a spot in Slovenia's World Cup team. Especially Klobučar who thrilled with his versatility, thus earning a potential place in the national team. Next season both of these players will be playing abroad. Klobučar will play for Ulm, while Murić officially still hasn't signed for any club. Due to a lack of tall players Olimpija's Alen Omić is also on coach Zdovc's potential list, although Omić's game last season was inconsistent. At the moment he's on his way to NBA's summer league. The far best Slovenian player on Olimpija's roster last season was Dino Murič, who unfortunately had another modest season. Dino Murić is still recovering from an injury which will also cast doubts on his joining the national team.

Tilen Jamnik; translated by K. J.