I first met Aleksandar while visiting Olivet, Michigan. Alex and my son Ryan were members of the Olivet College Men’s Basketball team—Ryan as a graduate assistant and Alex as a player. I was curious about Alex’s background, and he was willing to answer a few questions.
Aleksandar Antic grew up in the city of Belgrade, Serbia. Most people in the United States would classify the city as huge.
“It has a population of a little over two million people. And it was awesome growing up there,” says Alex. “Even though the economy was very weakened due to the wars that just ended in 1995, us kids knew how to have fun. Back then it didn’t take much to have fun—just a ball of any kind and good company. That was it. We could be outside playing all day, and for the most part we were.”
According to the U.S. Department of State Office of the Historian, Alex was referring to The War in Bosnia, 1992–1995. “In 1991 and 1992, Yugoslavia disintegrated under the pressures of ethnic conflict, economic issues, and the demagoguery of Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic. The secessions of Slovenia and Croatia triggered warfare in both new nations, with the United Nations inserting a peacekeeping force, the U.N. Protective Force (UNPROFOR), in mid-1992 to stabilize the situation. The U.N. further imposed an arms embargo on the region, seeking to dry up the flow of arms to the combatants. Serbian forces executed widespread “ethnic cleansing” in occupied areas, creating horrific scenes of refugees and concentration camps that seemed unthinkable in modern Europe” (https://history.state.gov/milestones/1993-2000/bosnia).
Growing up in that kind of environment was tough. And sometimes the people and the culture are not portrayed accurately; liberty can be taken when describing a group of people we are not familiar with.
According to Alex, “I would say that our culture is very blue collar. We are hard workers for the most part, generous people; we unconditionally love our country. We are proud to be Serbians. That can be seen in all the different achievements of our athletes in all different sports. When our athletes play, they put their country above everything and they simply refuse to fail. We don’t quit easily, [and] we can be very stubborn.”
I was curious as to what peaked his interest in playing basketball, especially since football—soccer, in Serbia—is such a popular sport.
“Actually, I was a goalie up until I was around eighth grade. Then, my grandpa suggested that I should play basketball since my build and my height at that age was definitely more shaped towards playing basketball.”
Alex ended up in the United States by following his dad who was working here. I wanted to know if there was much of a difference between his home country and his new country.
“In a lot of ways, but mainly the U.S. is a world superpower. The United States’ economy cannot even be compared to the small Serbian economy. The infrastructure is way better in the U.S. I loved the way your road and highway system functioned. And as far as people go, Serbia is way more conservative in politics and culture than the U.S., especially today.”
Alex’s prep coach Steve Ernst took an assistant’s job at Olivet and invited the Serb to play for the Comets. Being Serbian led to an easy nickname—Serb.
“I thought it was a good idea since I improved a lot playing for him,” so Alex moved to Michigan.
courtesy: olivetcomets.com
Watching Alex play, it was easy to see the determination on his face; talking to him after the games, it was easy to see Alex’s polite upbringing in action—he was always quick to say “hello” and offer a handshake or a pat on the shoulder.
I asked him what he liked about his experience in the States.
“I loved my experience in the U.S. I met a lot of fine people that helped me get to where I am today, and made me a better person. I lived by myself for about five years while in the U.S.—my father was often working overseas for his company; but regardless of that, I always had someone to turn to. Moyle family has been very good to me. Whenever things weren’t going my way, I could always call Harry Moyle or Nate Moyle and ask them for advice; they would always put things in perspective for me and help me get through rough times. I learned a lot about basketball and life in general from them. Also, I will never forget how helpful my Aunt Sandy was, who I lived with for a year while my dad was away. Some great people like Mr. Mark Oglesby, my History and Government teacher, and my athletic director Mr. Dan Hutchenson. Great coaches like Nate Moyle, Coach Ernst, and Coach Proefrock. Made great friends like Ryan Ehm, Anthony Easter, Josh Wynn, Brandon Nazione, Olin—watch out for him; he is going to be an amazing tennis player—and many others. It was simply great.”
Alex left Olivet and Michigan and is living the high life in Spain where he is still pursuing his college education and degree. Not only is he hitting the books, but he is also hitting the hardwood playing hoops.
“I am currently finishing my studies at Saint Louis University Madrid Campus – Spain. I am also playing semi-professional basketball at two clubs: Olimpico and Estudiantes B. It is a great experience so far. Madrid is a huge and a beautiful city, and the basketball is much fun. The players are not as athletic as in the U.S. generally, but are all very smart and have a high basketball IQ. They move the ball so well here and they play up-tempo style a lot.”
Every time I passed Alex, he was sporting a smile, so I asked him what put a smile on his face whenever he was playing basketball.
“The only thing that puts a smile on my face is a win, nothing else. If we win, I am all about smiling.”
As for his future plans and goals, where did Serb see himself?
“I want to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in international business and then try and play in the first league in Spain. Then I want to go back to the U.S. and do my Master’s degree, although I am not decided what field yet. It doesn’t matter where, as long as great people surround me, as I have been so far. But hopefully I am done with college also.”
In wrapping up the Serb’s interview, I asked what phrase in Serbian would he like to pass on?
“Nemoj da te pita starost gde ti je bila mladost” – Don’t let your old age ask where your youth was (literal translation).
In response, I would tell Aleksandar, “Hvala puno” (thank you very much) for the interview. Srećno! (Good luck) in the future and….Moj srpski je los. (My Serbian is bad).
Aleksandar was named the First Athlete of the Month at Saint Louis University Madrid. To read more about this honor: http://www.slu.edu/madrid/campus-life/campus-news/news-archive-2015/first-athlete-of-the-month-aleksandar-antic
