CHAMPAIGN — In the same breath that David Mirkovic went through the nerves floating around in his stomach about a move across the world and into the relative unknown of college basketball, there was a sense of calm about him.
Finally, Mirkovic is ready for his next chapter. He officially signed with the University of Illinois on Monday and is one of five European-born players who will be on the Illinois roster next season. The college game is increasingly becoming a pathway for European players on their way to chase their NBA dreams, and Mirkovic is the latest for the Illini.
So for all of the nervousness about leaving his home in Montenegro, there’s a sense of a fresh start in the United States: the next part of his basketball story, a chance to prove himself all over again and a chance to adjust to the American game before what he hopes is ultimately an NBA career.
“It’s a big change, but I can tell you I was waiting for this,” Mirkovic told Illini Inquirer on Tuesday. “I was preparing my whole life. I’m going to get a big chance. I’ve got to prove myself. That’s it. I’m excited. I was waiting for this. …I like that pressure, man. I like the butterfly feeling.”
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
