Jure Lalic joins Stelmet Zielona Gora
The Croatian moves to Poland
Croatian big man Jure Lalic joins Stelmet Zielona Gora. The Balkan center adds depth to the frontcourt right in time for the upcoming 2015 Tauron Basket Liga playoffs.
"After parting ways with Daniel Johnson we've been working very hard the entire week with the coaching staff to fill the hole in our rotation. We've been reviewing many players. We wanted to pick the best available option for us, an experienced guy who will be the best fit into our team so that we could be ready for the key part of the season", said Stelmet general manager Walter Jeklin. ""It's very important for us to keep the team chemistry and leadership. With the new player coming in he needs to be ready to face the responsibility and authority of the team. Jure is an experienced player who fits in with the way [the coach] Sašo [Filipovski] wants to play and he knows what it takes to win a championship. He will definitely add more strength and more options to our rotation".
"He is a center. That is his natural position. He plays a lot of low post, he's a veteran. He was with Zadar and Krka Novo Mesto teams earlier and won the Cup and the Championship. He is strong and smart and will definitely make us stronger", Stelmet head coach Sašo Filipovski said. "We lacked in the frontcourt a little bit with Daniel Johnson's departure a week ago. We needed someone to share minutes with our starter Adam Hrycaniuk. Last two weeks we were plagued by injuries and we were forced to use Adam despite his problems. Jure is the best available option for us. We just used the opportunity created by his option in the contract he had at Zagreb".
Jure has been signed for the remainder of the season with a 2015-16 option. "We struck a deal which is comfortable for both sides", Walter Jeklin said.
Lalic comes from Cibona Zagreb, one of the best European clubs over the years. The defending Adriatic League champion beat Cedevita Zagreb in the 2014 Finals and sent home Crvena Zvezda Belgrade powerhouse in the semifinals. The late Drazen Petrovic is one of Cibona's all-time greatest players.
Jerel Blassingame was one of Jure's teammates in Zagreb earlier this season, before leaving for Poland to play for Energa Czarni Slupsk. Lulic will have a chance to play against him in eight weeks, when Stelmet visits Slupsk on March 21.
Jure Lalic, who will turn 29 on February 8, is a 6'10" center. In 19 games he played this season he averaged 12.7 points and 4.2 rebounds in 22.6 minutes per game.
On his last night with Zagreb he went for 17 points and 5 rebounds, forcing 10 personal fouls in an 89-87 overtime loss against Szolnoki Olaj.
Lalic is expected in Zielona Gora on Tuesday.
"After parting ways with Daniel Johnson we've been working very hard the entire week with the coaching staff to fill the hole in our rotation. We've been reviewing many players. We wanted to pick the best available option for us, an experienced guy who will be the best fit into our team so that we could be ready for the key part of the season", said Stelmet general manager Walter Jeklin. ""It's very important for us to keep the team chemistry and leadership. With the new player coming in he needs to be ready to face the responsibility and authority of the team. Jure is an experienced player who fits in with the way [the coach] Sašo [Filipovski] wants to play and he knows what it takes to win a championship. He will definitely add more strength and more options to our rotation".
"He is a center. That is his natural position. He plays a lot of low post, he's a veteran. He was with Zadar and Krka Novo Mesto teams earlier and won the Cup and the Championship. He is strong and smart and will definitely make us stronger", Stelmet head coach Sašo Filipovski said. "We lacked in the frontcourt a little bit with Daniel Johnson's departure a week ago. We needed someone to share minutes with our starter Adam Hrycaniuk. Last two weeks we were plagued by injuries and we were forced to use Adam despite his problems. Jure is the best available option for us. We just used the opportunity created by his option in the contract he had at Zagreb".
Jure has been signed for the remainder of the season with a 2015-16 option. "We struck a deal which is comfortable for both sides", Walter Jeklin said.
Lalic comes from Cibona Zagreb, one of the best European clubs over the years. The defending Adriatic League champion beat Cedevita Zagreb in the 2014 Finals and sent home Crvena Zvezda Belgrade powerhouse in the semifinals. The late Drazen Petrovic is one of Cibona's all-time greatest players.
Jerel Blassingame was one of Jure's teammates in Zagreb earlier this season, before leaving for Poland to play for Energa Czarni Slupsk. Lulic will have a chance to play against him in eight weeks, when Stelmet visits Slupsk on March 21.
Jure Lalic, who will turn 29 on February 8, is a 6'10" center. In 19 games he played this season he averaged 12.7 points and 4.2 rebounds in 22.6 minutes per game.
On his last night with Zagreb he went for 17 points and 5 rebounds, forcing 10 personal fouls in an 89-87 overtime loss against Szolnoki Olaj.
Lalic is expected in Zielona Gora on Tuesday.
E. Carchia
@Sportando
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