Ohio State Freshman Center Ivan Njegovan Recounts His Journey From a Croatian Small Town to Columbus: "Out of Nowhere, Literally"

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osufan2002's picture

That dude has not only size that can’t be taught but skills that can be developed.  He could be really good!  Go Bucks!!

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Go1Bucks's picture

I finally have a fellow countryman at OSU to root for!

He has a high ceiling, I can't wait to watch this season.

Go Bucks! TTUN tears are best!

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gr8bucks's picture

He better have a high ceiling, and a high doorway too.

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darthbuck's picture

Was it Croatia or Serbia that got Jim O'Brien in trouble?

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Bucksfan0214's picture

Savovich was Serbian I think

"Its gonna be cold, its gonna be grey, and its going to last you the rest of your life!".

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Elguapo's picture

I believe yugoslavia lol but I could be wrong 

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Kalmar's picture

Pretty sure it was Jim that got Jim in trouble.

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Franco Bolli's picture

Definitely not Croatia.  Croatia gain independence in early 90s, they wouldn’t identify as Yugoslavians in late 90s.  That player was Serb or Montenegrin, either way he was ethnically Serbian and orthodox Christian type of Balkan

I think I saw him at the Columbus Serbian festival few years, him or the 7-footer serb who also played at OSU few seasons later

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Greg216's picture

Very large and welcoming Croatian  community on the east side of Cleveland.  

Maybe they can send some care packages and Croatian food to Columbus for Ivan?

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Franco Bolli's picture

Da, we can get ćevapi, Kajmak, Burek, Cedevita from PV Euro market in NE Ohio and ship it directly to him.

for Rakija, beer, he can visit PV and Joe D’s directly, since no shipping of hard liquor in Ohio. He can get some Rakija in Columbus and Croatian beer in Savor Growl if they have it in stock.  

Heck, I have most of that in stock in my fridge already. 

dobro došli u Columbusu. Alamo hrvatska. 

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PRO8's picture

I had forgotten all about him... he looks very promising... 

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PhillyNut's picture

So he supposedly played professionally. Is that no longer a disqualifier for players in the same sport from playing in college? I am so confused as to what the rules are now.

I don't buy one goddam drop of gas in the state of Michigan!

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NewPhilaFan's picture

I had the same question.  I hoped that it would be answered in the article.

Let's Go Bucks

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Andy Anders's picture

No supposedly about it, he spent multiple seasons in Croatia's top league. I don't know the exact details of Ivan's contract with his former teams, there are ways to still be an amateur playing in professional leagues.

Clearly, whatever the nitty-gritty of it is, he's eligible. We're all confused because the NCAA is confused. Not that they've ever been good about legislating their "amateur" rules consistently, but NIL might have also opened doors in this area. Since athletes are getting paid now, if they meet the other age and eligibility requirements, it'd make sense that they can come over, even if they were considered professionals in their home country. But there are examples of players formerly from professional leagues that predate NIL, too.

I wish I had more clarity to provide, but know that Ivan is here now, he's eligible and he's an exciting prospect with a personality that's easy to root for.

Just an Aspie skiing on these words like it's Asp(i)en

Buck61's picture

Given the history of Doug Archie and the Compliance Department they did their due diligence on any eligibility issue before he signed his letter of intent

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OSUtopia's picture

College ball = professional ball. Its now the same thing. The only difference is the level of talent.

Great story. Rooting for Ivan!

OSUtopia

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TraptnMI's picture

We’re extremely fortunate to have this tall, fluid, future stud. He’s correct that the US has unhealthy shit around every turn. One of the few countries in the world that poisons their own peoples food supply for profit. 

" It's real good whatcha done Anthony, real good ! "

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stantmann's picture

That's awesome to get another big. I'm still wondering like a lot of you, how are professional basketball players eligible for NCAA?

Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect - Woody Hayes

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NavyPHBuckeye's picture

Njegovan is going to be a force ~ TOSU is going to be A FORCE!  Go Bucks.

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Woody 1's picture

He'll, let's just recruit foreign professionals if they're eligible then! Or, maybe not!

http://URLWoody 1

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Tiffin2b's picture

I could be way off base here but I thought I read some time back that some young kids in Europe aren't necessarily on a contract with their European team, they may receive "expense" money similar to a stipend which would be much less than if they were on contract. This is how they maintain "amateur" status to be able to enroll in a U.S. college. As I said I could just be dreaming that I read that but for some reason I seem to remember this coming up with someone else a few years ago.

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BigAppleBuckeye's picture

Great to have you in Buckeye Nation Ivan!

If your opponent knocks you on your ass, honor the game and RESPECT him. But Gentlemen, no bastard ever won a football game by getting knocked on his ass. You won it by knocking the other poor dumb bastard on his ass and making HIM respect YOU!!

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BeepBeep's picture

Looks good but I want to see a true 7 footer back to the basket beast like G.O.

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Tiffin2b's picture

Do those guys exist anymore?

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nomatta's picture

Teams don't like to clog the paint in modern offenses.

the empire never ended

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allbucksallthetime's picture

Diebler and the staff certainly have some talent to work with.  I'm very excited about the direction of the basketball program and believe by year's end the Buckeyes will be playing well.  Go Bucks!  Screw Blue!

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gr8bucks's picture

I'm just glad that diebler knew someone that knew someone. It's way past due to have good international players playing bb at OSU. I get tired of seeing them play for Gonzaga or whomever. 

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Kieren1's picture

Welcome to Buckeye Nation Ivan! Great story. 

 Kieren

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