Neven Spahija strictly against players' naturalization of European powerhouses / News - Basketnews.com

Neven Spahija says national teams 'lose part of their national identity' when naturalizing foreigners.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

In parallel to EuroBasket Group D battles in Prague, the International Coaching Clinic is also taking place in the capital of the Czech Republic.

The Croatian mastermind, Neven Spahija, is one of the guest lecturers for the event. During his time in Prague, the 59-year-old specialist sat down with Mozzart Sport to talk about various topics, including a hot case about naturalized players.

Spahija noted that he is against naturalized athletes in the national teams but at the same time admitted that Jaleen Smith's naturalization provides benefit to his country's squad.

"I am against foreigners in the national teams. In my opinion, it has no basis. But if everyone: public, media, and players have decided that he [foreigner] should play, then fine. Jaleen Smith is certainly an upgrade for our national team and has given width and height to our squad," Spahija named Smith's advantages.

Asked about an idea to naturalize a player for such a basketball power as Serbia, Spahija was straightforward:

"That's a freakin' FIBA rule and I'll never agree with it. The national team is actually the identity of a basketball school, nation, and culture... If Serbia would come to that stage to naturalize a foreigner, then I and my like-minded people would capitulate. I sincerely hope it doesn't happen.

This may be necessary for some national teams, which unfortunately includes us. We have not been able to produce a playmaker for 15-20 years. The latter situation will never be clear to me.

But I sincerely hope that Serbia, as a basketball powerhouse, will never allow that [naturalization]. Because by playing a foreigner in the national team, you lose part of your national identity," spoke the Croatian coach.

What is actually achieved by bringing a foreigner to the national team?

"Let's put it this way, you can screw with that FIBA rule. I see that Greece is playing with Tyler Dorsey who is winning with Giannis [Antetokounmpo] alone. If that's the goal of the national team, fine, but I am against it.

It's funny to me when I watch the introduction of the national teams and playing national anthems before the game, and when the camera passes by the player, who doesn't even know how to speak the language, nor does he know the words of the anthem...

That's why we have clubs. Let five, seven, eight foreigners play there, however, national teams are national teams for a reason," Neven Spahija concluded the topic.

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