Igokea m:tel has secured two spots on Serbia's preliminary roster for the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, namely Dalibor Ilić and Alexa Radanov. The decision was made by head coach Svetislav Pešić, and the 24‑player list will be submitted to FIBA before the official press conference on February 21.
Who are the new Igokea m:tel candidates?
Dalibor Ilić, a young wing from Igokea, comes from Partizan NIS‑Belgrade and is known for his quick attacks and solid defense. Alexa Radanov, a center, has shown strength in the paint in the regional league, averaging 8.2 rebounds per game. Both have recently posted FG% above 45 % and 3PT% over 35 %, catching the coach's eye.
How does the list fit into the qualification plan?
Serbia will play two games against Slovakia in February – the first in Belgrade on February 25 at the Aleksandar Nikolić hall, the second in Levice on February 28. So far they earned a 101‑100 win over Latvia, then fell 69‑73 to Belgium in Mons. Adding Igokea m:tel players gives extra depth on the perimeter and in the post, needed for balancing offense and defense.
Which other key players are on the list?
Other names include Vasilije Micić (Anadolu Efes Istanbul), Nemanja Nedović (Panathinaikos OPAP Athens) and Dejan Davidovac (Crvena zvezda mts Belgrade). Micić, who tops the list, delivered 22 points and 5 assists in the latest game against Latvia. Nedović is known for his 3‑point shooting, while Davidovac dominates rebounds with 9.1 per game.
What can be expected from the Igokea m:tel players in the qualifiers?
Coach Pešić plans a rotation that will let Ilić log 15‑20 minutes per quarter, focusing on fast breaks and defensive pressure. Radanov will be used in the paint, especially in the second quarter when the team meets physical opponents. If both post average stats from the regional league, they could add 8‑10 points and 5‑7 rebounds per game.
How will the rest of the qualification phase develop?
After the two Slovakia matches, Serbia will face tougher opponents in the group, including Poland and Lithuania. The 24‑player roster provides flexibility for tactical adjustments, and the presence of Igokea m:tel players offers an extra option to change game tempo. If Ilić and Radanov prove reliable, they may stay on the final roster for later stages.
What does this mean for Igokea m:tel?
National team inclusion raises the club's profile and opens the door for additional sponsorship investment. The club will monitor its players' performance throughout the qualification, and success on the international stage could attract new talent and boost viewership of domestic games.