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OVERVIEW

Property of Red Star until after the 2009-10 season, Tadija Dragicevic joined Zvezda in 2004-05 after a stellar career on the junior circuit. Already a decent scorer, the development of his long-range shot helped him more than double his scoring average (20.5 from 9.4) from the previous season.

Dragicevic played for the Crevina Zvezda (Serbia & Montenegro) juniors and was a member of the Serbia & Montenegro Junior National Team, where he played at the 2004 Junior European Championship in Spain. He was also a member of the U-20 national team that played at the 2005 (team won the bronze medal) and 2006 U-20 European Champion-ship (squad captured the gold medal).

Dragicevic appeared in eight games with the parent Crevina Zvezda squad in 2004-05, averaging 0.6 points per game, adding one steal. He appeared with the parent club in five contests the following season, scoring 28 points (5.6 per game) with 13 rebounds, three assists and 19 steals.

In 2006-07, Dragicevic competed in 24 contests. Maturing as a shooter, he made 68.4 percent of his two-point field goals (54-of-79) and 75-of-95 free throws (78.9 percent ). He averaged 9.4 points per game, coming up with 90 rebounds and nine blocked shots.

The Adriatic Basketball Association MVP, Dragicevic led the league in scoring average (20.5 ppg), shooting 56.1 percent from the floor, 45.1 percent from 3-point range and 81.0 percent from the foul line. He snared 165 rebounds, to go with 38 assists, 18 steals and 18 steals.

ANALYSIS

Positives: Has a small forward's outside shooting ability ... Has a good mid-range shot and despite his size, has had good success firing from the perimeter ... Facing the basket, he does a nice job of pulling up and sinking the fade-away jumper, showing good range and a high, quick release ... Might lack the quickness to play in an up-tempo attack, but has enough to slip past and slash to the basket when matched up vs. a frontcourt opponent ... Even with a shorter 3-point range in Europe (20'6" compared to 23'9" in the NBA), he has enough distance on his shot to succeed at the NBA level ... Good ball-handler for a player his size with the ability to shoot off the dribble ... Shows the lateral moves to get under physical opponents to complete the play in the low post, but needs to do it more often ... Has a good understanding of the game, showing the court vision to pass the ball around, working nicely in unison with his guards ... Can surprise a lethargic defender when he sets his feet and uncorks a mid-range jumper ... Has the quick first step needed to gain advantage on a slower defender and while he lacks great leaping ability, he uses his long reach and timing to get a fair share of defensive rebounds (needs to fight for position better on the offensive boards, though) ... Has room on his frame to add needed bulk and shows a solid work ethic ... Kicks the ball out quickly to the open perimeter shooter when facing double-team activity inside ... Gets his man out of position with his pump fakes and can finish at the basket with either hand ... More of a finesse-type scorer, but is gaining confidence in his ability to drive with the ball ... Can draw contact on his way to the rim in attempts to get to the charity stripe, where he shows a good release on his free-throw attempts.

Negatives: Has become too reliant on perimeter shooting and needs to add more bulk and power...Lacks the quickness to play small forward and doesn't have the power to prevent from getting punished by the more physical opponents at power forward ... Marginal rebounder and defender ... Needs to develop a better feel for his back-to-the basket game ... Shies away from contact too much when asked to take the ball to the low post ... Better perimeter defender than in the paint and lacks the tenacity to fight for position ... Does not have the power needed to take on back-to-the-basket opponents ... His lack of explosive leaping ability makes him just a marginal shot blocker (10 in 65 games in four years), despite his impressive length and standing reach ... Must develop better confidence when attacking the basket -- will quickly bounce outside and take perimeter shots to avoid contact.

Compares To: BOSTJAN NACHBAR-New Jersey ... Dragicevic can score in double figures every night. His problem is a lack of strength and aggression attacking the basket. He's a small forward trapped in a power forward's body and would much rather face the basket and fire from the perimeter than take the ball to the rim. He gets boxed out often by the more physical forwards and shows no desire or fire in his belly on defense. He is a marginal shot blocker and offensive rebounder. He's a decent ball handler for a frontcourt type and finds ways of getting to the defensive boards for the rebounds. Still, with two more years left on his Serbian contract, he might be better off staying in Europe until his body matures.

During his last four season, Dragicevic appeared in 65 games for Crevina Zvezda, scoring 831 points (12.8 per game) ... Shot 59.6 percent from two-point range (186-of-312), 38.4 percent from 3-point range (76-of-198) and 81.1 percent from the foul line (231-of-285) ... Grabbed 268 rebounds (4.1 per game), as he totaled 49 assists, 41 steals and 95 turnovers ... Blocked ten shots and committed 143 personal fouls.

2007-08 SEASON

Adriatic Basketball Association MVP ... Led the league in scoring (20.5 per game), as he totaled 573 points in 28 contests ... Ranked third in the league in 3-point shooting percentage (45.1 percent , 60-of-133) and was sixth in defensive rebounds (120, 4.3 per game), as he totaled 165 boards for the season ... Was fouled by the opposition (167) more than any other player in league play ... Made 124-of-221 two-point shots (56.1 percent ) and shot 81.0 percent from the free-throw line (145-of-179) ... Handed out 38 assists with 18 steals, 68 turnovers and five blocked shots ... Scored in double figures 24 times, including 30 points vs. Cibona, 28 vs. Split, 26 vs. Zagreb, 29 vs. Hemofam, 25 at Split, 34 at Slovan and a season-high 39 vs. Helios ... Had a season-high 11 rebounds vs. Soroki and ten boards in each of the Vojvodina and Slovan contests

2006-07 SEASON

Appeared in 24 games, scoring 225 points (9.4 per game) ... Made 54-of-79 field goals (68.4 percent ), 14-of-54 3-pointers (25.9 percent ) and 75-of-95 free throws ... Snared 90 rebounds with nine assists, five blocked shots and 19 steals.

2005-06 SEASON

In five games with the parent club, he scored 28 points (5.6 per game) with 13 rebounds, two assists and three steals ... Hit 72.7 percent of his two-point field goal attempts (8-of-11).

2004-056 SEASON

In eight games, he scored five points (0.6 per game) and had one steal.

PERSONAL

Born 1/28/86 ... Resides in Cacak, Serbia.