Serbia’s Bogdan Bogdanovic reacts during its Fiba World Cup semifinal game against Canada. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Bogdan Bogdanovic set a number of new records in the Fiba World Cup as he became the player with the most three-pointers made in the competition over the last 30 years.
Bogdanovic led Serbia back to the Fiba World Cup final for the first time in nine years, pouring in 23 points in torching Canada, 95-86, in their knockout semifinals game on Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Atlanta Hawks guard not only gave his team a chance to surpass its silver medal finish in the 2014 edition in Spain with a shot at its first title in 21 years, but he also broke a couple of records in the global basketball spectacle.
Bogdanovic has already made 70 three-point shots in the World Cup, setting the most treys made for a player in the competition over the last 30 years. He also became the first player with the longest run of games with a three-pointer made in the Fiba World Cup for 24 consecutive matches.
“It feels amazing. Basketball has changed. I think there are a lot more threes and we are also playing faster and my work ethic altogether I think I didn’t come every year [with a mindset of] “I’m gonna break this record.” But I’m happy that I achieved that,” he told reporters after making three of his four three-point attempts in the semis and tallying four rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
The 31-year-old Serbian skipper attributed his consistent three-point shooting to his routine and confidence.
“Just shoot more. There will be some bad games, everybody has a bad game, you cannot lose the confidence. Never,” Bogdanovic said. “You just have to shoot like it’s in the playground, it’s same, your motivation level, your practice, your routine it needs to be the same like when you’re all by yourself shooting and when you’re in the semifinals.”
Bogdan Bogdanovic hugs his mom in the crowd at Mall of Asia Arena after leading Serbia to the Fiba World Cup gold medal game.-MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The 6-foot-5 guard has also so far scored 427 points in the Fiba World Cup to become the fitth best in the competition in the 21st century, overtaking Dirk Nowitzki’s 425 when he was still playing for Germany.
Bogdanovic also set his 11th game with 20+ points in the Fiba World Cup to become third best only behind Luis Scola (16) and Nowitzki (12) while becoming the Serbian player with the most steals in a single edition of the tournament with a total of 14.
But what makes Bogdanovic happier is that all their sacrifices for this edition have been paying off after returning to the final from a quarterfinal exit in the 2019 World Cup in China.
“It’s unbelievable. I feel really happy, grateful, and all these words I don’t even know how to say. I’m also happy for this team. I know how much effort we put in since day one,” Bogdanovic said. “Our coach was really hard on us and he was tough on me, too… I’m just happy for the guys that we went all through this and in the end, we are in the final.”
If Bogdanovic has one regret in their semifinal win, it was his only missed triple in the game at the final 32-second mark.
“I’m happier [with my three-point shooting today.] Maybe I shouldn’t shoot the one in the end. I have to make a bigger step and jump a little bit. I was leaning too much,” he quipped.