KK Skopje set targets: build youth base and aim high

KK Skopje unveiled its ambitions at a preseason press conference ahead of the new Macedonian Superleague season, outlining a youth-focused rebuild and high targets for the campaign. In the opening round coach Marjan Ilievski’s side will host Kozhuv on Sunday with tip-off scheduled for 18:30.

Club aims to grow domestic talent and push for regional competition

Club president Boro Atanasovski said the recent rebrand was intended to draw wider support from the city and lift standards both on and off the court. “We rebranded because we wanted to have the whole city’s support, to raise the level organizationally and on the sporting side, and so that fans come to watch higher-quality basketball matches. We want to build a base, to develop the youth categories; our goal is to create Macedonian players who would be the backbone of the team, together with foreign players who will be the foundation for achieving our future objectives, including participation in the ABA2 League,” Atanasovski said.

Coach Marjan Ilievski acknowledged the club faces timing and roster challenges after a change in the foreign-player rule, but stressed the squad’s mentality and approach. He said that although preparations started under difficult circumstances and one foreign signing was replaced during training, the roster is set and the foreigners now on the books fit the club’s plan. Ilievski emphasized the importance of attitude over experience and underlined the board’s expectation of a high league finish while recognising it may not always be achievable.

“We started in a period that may be delayed; the change of the foreign-player rule made it harder to build the roster. From the very start of preparations we had a change of one foreign player. The roster remains the same, foreign players have been signed who match our concept, the domestic players are mostly young basketballers except for the captain. From this team we expect an energy because they have been selected in that way, regardless of the experience they have or do not have. For me the most important thing is the approach they have. And I, like the board, have the same expectations: a high placing, which does not mean it can always be achieved; my experience shows that. I thank everyone who contributed to last year’s success. We hope that all those connected to the sport will support us and look only at the sporting side. Everything we managed to do in the recent period was enthusiastic,” Ilievski said at the press conference.

Captain Marjan Mladenović urged full commitment from the team despite its youth. “We are a new team compared with last season’s roster. We fit together well as characters and as players who want to win. We have many young players who want to prove themselves, but I promise 110% fight on the court,” Mladenović said.

Skopje’s coaching staff and board are publicly pushing for strong home performances and player development as they enter the Superleague campaign, with an eye on building a platform for future regional competition.

Photo: press material from the event