Boston College Athletics
Photo by: Ben Solomon
2019-20 Preview Series: Kraljevic is the Jack of All Trades
November 04, 2019 | Men's Basketball, #ForBoston Files
Luka Kraljevic's versatility is key for the BC reserves
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- Building a basketball depth chart isn't easy. There's a hunt for players capable of making relevant contributions, but an athlete's nature is always to want the ball more often to play more minutes. It creates an incredibly difficult task: finding players with skills to compete with starters but are willing to accept roles that, at the surface, appear more limited.
Despite that, winning basketball teams need role players to embrace their duties while remaining ready to step into starting roles. Their development is constantly evolving because they practice against their own starting lineups. It makes them arguably the most critical piece of a roster, and coaches often appreciate their efforts the most.
At Boston College, Luka Kraljevic is that type of player. He has embraced a reserve role off the bench and has given the Eagles key minutes when called upon. Kraljevic remains an intricate part of the basketball team by simply pushing every day in practice.
"There are some big bodies in the ACC," he said. "I'm not one of the biggest guys, so I know I have to fight. I have to fight for position against guys who are seven feet tall and 260 pounds. I'm a little shorter and lighter, so I play to my strengths in the post."
Now in his junior year, Kraljevic is evolving into BC's multipurpose answer off the bench. He has enough size to play the center position against ACC big men, but his ability to run the floor as a power forward gives BC another element of speed to their fast break, transition offense. Now entering his third year, he's a smart, cagey player to know when his body should shift between roles based on both personnel groupings and situational awareness.
"You have to be skilled and intelligent," Kraljevic said. "It's a process. There's a lot of film and a lot of practice on details. You just have to go with the situation and learn everything that you can about everything on and off the court."
It's produced big moments for a player who helped build and formulate a basketball culture in his native Slovenia. Kraljevic's father, Mario, was a basketball wizard back home and a member of the nation's senior national team. He won the 1994 FIBA Saporta Cup and finished third in the 1997 EuroLeague with Smelt Olimpija while competing in five different FIBA European Championships. Luka carried on that legacy by playing in three different European championships with the Slovenian national program, appearing with the U-16, U-18 and U-20 teams.
It provided a springboard to the United States and the younger Kraljevic matriculated to Don Bosco Prep in Crown Point, Ind. before committing to Boston College.
"My biggest thing was maturity," Kraljevic said. "I had to become more mature physically in my game. I had to get my body right by getting into shape and eating right to bring energy minutes."
It helped produce an immediate impact in his freshman season at BC. He averaged over nine minutes while playing in 31 games, earning one start. He scored seven points and grabbed five rebounds - including three on the offensive glass - against Syracuse. His calling card was being a gritty defender before suffering a concussion against Florida State.
As a sophomore, he played in 22 games as both a power forward and center, once again stepping into the starting lineup for one game. It created an evolution within Kraljevic, who began incorporating new elements into his offensive and defensive arsenal. There's a willingness to work with anyone, and it creates a joy in a game steeped in teamwork.
"I really like to play face up against a center," Kraljevic said. "It's a little easier when you're quicker because they can't move their legs as fast. You take their hips and below as an attacker. My efficiency comes from other players - I am a team guy. I want to be able to play that way with everyone."
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Despite that, winning basketball teams need role players to embrace their duties while remaining ready to step into starting roles. Their development is constantly evolving because they practice against their own starting lineups. It makes them arguably the most critical piece of a roster, and coaches often appreciate their efforts the most.
At Boston College, Luka Kraljevic is that type of player. He has embraced a reserve role off the bench and has given the Eagles key minutes when called upon. Kraljevic remains an intricate part of the basketball team by simply pushing every day in practice.
"There are some big bodies in the ACC," he said. "I'm not one of the biggest guys, so I know I have to fight. I have to fight for position against guys who are seven feet tall and 260 pounds. I'm a little shorter and lighter, so I play to my strengths in the post."
Now in his junior year, Kraljevic is evolving into BC's multipurpose answer off the bench. He has enough size to play the center position against ACC big men, but his ability to run the floor as a power forward gives BC another element of speed to their fast break, transition offense. Now entering his third year, he's a smart, cagey player to know when his body should shift between roles based on both personnel groupings and situational awareness.
"You have to be skilled and intelligent," Kraljevic said. "It's a process. There's a lot of film and a lot of practice on details. You just have to go with the situation and learn everything that you can about everything on and off the court."
It's produced big moments for a player who helped build and formulate a basketball culture in his native Slovenia. Kraljevic's father, Mario, was a basketball wizard back home and a member of the nation's senior national team. He won the 1994 FIBA Saporta Cup and finished third in the 1997 EuroLeague with Smelt Olimpija while competing in five different FIBA European Championships. Luka carried on that legacy by playing in three different European championships with the Slovenian national program, appearing with the U-16, U-18 and U-20 teams.
It provided a springboard to the United States and the younger Kraljevic matriculated to Don Bosco Prep in Crown Point, Ind. before committing to Boston College.
"My biggest thing was maturity," Kraljevic said. "I had to become more mature physically in my game. I had to get my body right by getting into shape and eating right to bring energy minutes."
It helped produce an immediate impact in his freshman season at BC. He averaged over nine minutes while playing in 31 games, earning one start. He scored seven points and grabbed five rebounds - including three on the offensive glass - against Syracuse. His calling card was being a gritty defender before suffering a concussion against Florida State.
As a sophomore, he played in 22 games as both a power forward and center, once again stepping into the starting lineup for one game. It created an evolution within Kraljevic, who began incorporating new elements into his offensive and defensive arsenal. There's a willingness to work with anyone, and it creates a joy in a game steeped in teamwork.
"I really like to play face up against a center," Kraljevic said. "It's a little easier when you're quicker because they can't move their legs as fast. You take their hips and below as an attacker. My efficiency comes from other players - I am a team guy. I want to be able to play that way with everyone."
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