FOR a 15-year-old, Dejan Vasiljevic has a very level head on his shoulders.
That said, the gun Tarneit basketballer still dreams of the big stage in America.
Vasiljevic will next month head for Brisbane as part of the 10-man under-18 Vic Metro team competing in the Australian Junior Championships.
Already an Australian representative, Vasiljevic says this selection is yet another proud moment in his young basketball career to date.
“It’s a really big achievement, as a bottom-ager especially,” Vasiljevic said.
“Victoria hasn’t won in a while, so I’ll just go out there, play, and get the gold.”
Proud father Todor knows of the struggles that come with elite sport.
He spent 20 years as a professional European handball player, and though Dejan and 11-year-old daughter Ivana have both taken up the hoops, Todor remains very supportive and chuffed about what his son has been able to do in such short time.
“I stopped playing 10 years ago so that (sport) was a trait in my family,” he explained.
“Coming from former Yugoslavia, sports like basketball and handball are very popular, so it’s really nice they have picked up a team sport, and he’s really excelled in it.
“We as a family are really proud of him, he has been an extremely dedicated and hardworking kid and he’s not even neglecting school – so all kudos to him.”
With aspirations of gaining entry into a US college with a strong basketball program, Vasiljevic knows he needs to look after both his academic and athletic interests.
His busy schedule includes the normal workload of a Year 10 student plus a gruelling training regime with both the Melbourne Tigers’ youth program and the state team.
Vasiljevic, who away from basketball has a strong interest in engineering, says the key is to stick to his routine to ensure he gets the best out of both worlds.
“I just organise myself (and) get a plan for what to do for the day,” he said.
“I’ll probably get back from school, have a snack, finish all the homework I’ve got for that day and then go train – it’s just repetition.”
