Team 2008-09: IURBENTIA BILBAO (Spain- ACB)
Career: Zadar (Croatia, 2001-05), Lagun Aro Bilbao Basket (Spain-ACB, 2005-08).

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Perhaps Banic represents everything there is to admire about Croatia. Undersized and not the most athletic player around in the forward spot, he is nevertheless effective and about as efficient as you can get. Maximising his talents, he gets results - much like this Croatia team. He has had a fantastic year with Bilbao leading them to the Final Eight of EuroCup and also to the ACB Play-off Quarter-Finals. He has become the main man for his club utilising his shooting skills both inside and out. Has a nice touch on offence, and rebounds well taking into account his physical attributes and shows a great degree of intensity on defence which maximises his influence on court. Has now seriously established himself as a big player in the best league in Europe and after a great Olympic tournament, can expect to be an influential player for Croatia again.