60 Seconds With…Ivan Platenik

Meet 201cm Australian-born Croatian professional basketballer Ivan Platenik (30), who has just finished a 4-month stint at Croatian 1st division side KK Požega, in our latest installment of ’60 Seconds With…’

Hi Ivan, can you tell our readers a bit about your background?

I was born and grew up in Melbourne to Croatian parents. I played college basketball at the University of Alaska and played for Waverley and the Melbourne Tigers in Australia. I have played in Croatia a few seasons over the last few years and I have just finished a contract with KK Požega who are based in eastern Croatia and play in the 1st division here. I am a forward

Who is your favourite all time player and club?

Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls

Favourite Croatian player?

Toni Kukoč

Jordan and Kukoč

Favourite all-time Croatian sportsperson?

Dražen Petrović

Most famous player you have played against?

I have played against a lot of players who now play in the NBA, one your readers might know well is Andrew Bogut, another Australian-born Croatian

Andrew Bogut

How have you enjoyed your time with KK Požega?

I have enjoyed it. It is not my first stint here as I have been before. It is a good club and some great guys

What is the main difference between basketball here in Croatia and in Australia where you played most of your career?

The game is more physical here in Croatia, it is slower than it is in Australia, there is more half court play here

Favourite place in Croatia?

I like the ‘selo’ (village), the smaller places. That can be anywhere in Croatia, but I particularly like Slavonia, the eastern part

Požega in eastern Croatia

Favourite food?

Pasta

What is your favourite Croatian saying?

‘Kako da ne’ (of course)

Favourite other sports?
Tennis, AFL