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Strahinja Stojacic, the 3×3 player No.1

3×3 basketball in Europe is rapidly developing and the reputation of this sport is growing gradually.  Serbia is dominating this continent and their players are affecting all teams they play in.

One of them is Strahinja Stojacic, the younger of Stojacic’s brothers. His surrounding is involved in sport and he got the talent also. When I say surrounding, I mean his closest people – family. It’s scary how this man is evolving into maybe the best player in the history of 3×3 basketball. The next couple of paragraphs will explain to you why this figure is so important.

How did he start?

Strahinja was not so focused on 3×3 basketball when he was young. Stojacic played 3×3 basketball like many players who later continue with a basket on one rim. Strahinja Stojacic learned about dedication from his older brother Stefan Stojacic.  Strahinja did not have so a strong desire to succeed in classic 5×5 basketball.

Finally, Stojacic was representing the Albanian club but this player couldn’t arrange financial deals with them. Things suddenly changed and he got a chance to perform for the team in 3×3 basketball. Hero of our paragraphs couldn’t refuse the offer and the transfer to another type of basketball happened.

What happened next with Strahinja?

The team Ub was called first Avai by the name of the Brazilian football club. Miroslav Pasajlic, Strahinja’s teammate, suggested that name and everybody else agreed. First, the team was named the Vrbas when teammates gathered. In 2019 the team was changed from the Vrbas to Ub.

The roster was strengthened by the arrival of Ivan Popovic. This team got financial help from the mayor of the city, Darko Glisic. Other players in the team were Danilo Mijatovic and Filip Simic. They could start by building a base for the future and should decide slowly about continuing a 5×5 basketball career.

How did Ub’s road to glory star?

In the pandemic year team, Novi Sad was reconstructed and Dejan Majstorovic aka Maestro and Marko Savic was without a team. They joined Ub and big plans could begin. The players should decide whether they will choose 3×3 or 5×5 basketball. When the members of the team made a decision, the ambitions of the team increased.

Big plans were made and the members started training and preparing hard for tournaments. This team had oscillations in form and changed tactics a lot during the transition period. Ub could win smaller competitions – Challengers but couldn’t get to the final of bigger tournaments – Masters.

What was a breakthrough point for Strahinja and Ub?

First place in Masters seemed unreachable for Ub’s players. After a long period, they decided to break that mental barrier and realized that they are already capable of winning big titles. The consequence was lifting the trophy in Debrecen Masters in august of 2021. That season was played solidly until Final Masters in Jeddah.

Ub performed badly in Saudi Arabia and felt under big pressure. Expectations from Strahinja and the Serbian team were too big and the response was not adequate. Guys from Serbia sat after defeat and decided to continue pushing strongly and focus on defense.

What was the plan of play for Strahinja and his Ub?

Members of Ub agreed to put attention to defense in the 2022 season. They believed that a good attack will come out of quality defensive play. Ub’ players agreed that quality defense means playing strong and concentrated when opponents attacks.

Strahinja and his companions thought that offensive play can offer freedom. In other words, whoever has space and is free can make the shot. Confidence between teammates was built in attack and strategy paid off. Every member knows that his teammates will give maximum on the court.

How is the 2022 season going for Stojacic?

Nemanja Barac was a reinforcement for the Serbian team ahead of the start of the 2022 season. Nemanja played 5×5 basketball in Sloga and he is a very physically strong player. Barac needed time, in the beginning, to adapt to his new playing environment and tactic of Ub.

3×3 basketball is more dynamic and fast-tempo and requires speedy thinking and making decisions compared to 5×5 basketball. Strahinja is playing the 3×3 basketball of his life this season. Ub won four out of five Masters in the World Tour 2022. It was an unbelievable winning streak for the Serbian team and team Antwerp stopped them in Debrecen.

Which successes has Strahinja had with Serbia?

Strahinja debuted for the Serbian national squad in 2022. Younger brother Stojacic had a tremendous year with Serbia. Serbia competed in World Cup 2022 in June and later in Europe Cup 2022 in September. Fantastic four Strahinja Stojacic, Dejan MajstorovicMarko Brankovic, and Mihailo Vasic won two golds in the biggest tournaments for national squads.

This team convincingly passed all obstacles and finished competitions in big style. Lithuania and Latvia were beaten in the finals respectively. Strahinja was among the best players in the World and Europe Cup. His contribution to gold medals was huge.

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How is his relationship with his older brother Stefan?

Stefan was some kind of role model for Strahinja when he was a child. Younger brother points out often how much of the learning in his game is from Stefan. Older brother Stojacic cheered him on the World Cup in Antwerpen in June in the stands and showed compassion and real brother support.

They played against each other in the Masters final in Saskatoon. It was an emotional game for both of them. Stefan was in Liman, while Strahinja was in Ub. The family also had difficulties choosing which team they will support in that clash.

What is Strahinja’s style of play?

Strahinja is an aggressive player and his layups are recognizable in the whole world. Supporters are very familiar with his penetration through the opponent’s defense. Younger Stojacic is capable to perform attractive dunking. His constitution and mentality are suitable for the nature of 3×3 basketball. His speed is a very big challenge for rivals.

This player constantly moves on the court and it’s difficult to stop him. Strahinja got the nickname “Dr Strange” because he finally came out from his brother’s shadow. Stojacic has high self-confidence and resilience and his teammates can rely on him in hard moments for the team. Here are some of the best moves during his career:

What are the biggest dreams for younger brother Stojacic?

Like every player, Strahinja dreams to win the Olympic Games. Dusan Bulut, Serbian main 3×3 star, didn’t make to do it. It would be the perfect culmination of Strahinja’s career. Serbia has never won this competition.

We can say that Younger brother Stojacic has already an excellent career as a 30 year-old player. That would be icing on the already sweet cake. Strahinja Stojacic doesn’t want to overcome Stefan and compete with his brother. The hero of our paragraphs wants to build his unique specific style and see where it would take him.

This amazing story is an example of how somebody can put their talents into service of the team. Strahinja explains through his game and performances an important life lesson – everybody can float to the surface with persistence and focus. Stojacic represents Serbia with positive stubbornness.

He represents his country’s mentality perfectly. Younger brother Stojacic has already two gold medals with Serbia and many trophies with Ub. He doesn’t plan to stop there. This player has many years of playing career in front of him. The 3×3 audience can feel that hero of our story is at the peak of his career. We wish him all the best in the upcoming period.

About the author

Marjan Nikolic

Passionate sports guy, coming from the eastern Europe where best basketball is played (yeah, I know you will not agree!). Dynamic 3x3 basket has special place in my heart.

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