Bojan Dubljevic Denies Retirement from Montenegro’s National Team

Bojan Dubljevic, one of Montenegro’s most accomplished basketball players, has publicly refuted claims regarding his retirement from the national team. The 31-year-old center, who has been a stalwart for the “red” jersey, clarified that he has not formally stepped away from representing Montenegro, despite recent announcements suggesting otherwise.

With a record of 55 official appearances for Montenegro, Dubljevic boasts an impressive average of 12.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. He has participated in three Eurobasket tournaments (2013, 2017, 2022) and two FIBA World Cups (2019, 2023), serving as team captain since 2017. His last games for the national team were in November 2024 during qualifying matches against Bulgaria. Notably, Dubljevic missed the last two qualifying matches and the Eurobasket last summer due to unspecified reasons.

Speculation surrounding a generational shift within the team began before the recent Eurobasket, with rumors suggesting that several veteran players were contemplating retirement. Following last year’s Eurobasket, teammates Nikola Vucevic and Vladimir Mihailovic announced their departures from the national setup. On November 24, 2022, as a new qualification cycle for the World Cup commenced, national team director Dragan Vukcevic stated at a press conference that Nikola Ivanovic and Danilo Nikolic had also opted out of future national team selections.

When asked about his status, Vukcevic previously indicated, “Bojan Dubljevic has also retired from the national team.”

In response to these assertions, Dubljevic vehemently denied them. “No, that information is not accurate. I must admit I was surprised and confused when I read the media reports. I have not retired from the Montenegro national team. Unfortunately, the team decided to part ways with me in their own manner,” he said during an exclusive interview.

Dubljevic further revealed that he had not communicated with anyone from the Montenegrin Basketball Federation or the new head coach regarding his status. “I did not discuss this decision with anyone from the Federation, the national team, or the new coach. That decision was made without any contact with me,” he added.

The player expressed his disappointment with the way the situation unfolded. “Honestly, yes. As a longtime representative and captain, someone who has given their all for Montenegro since the age of 16, I believed there should be at least a minimum of respect. I understand and support the idea of transitioning to younger players, but the manner in which this information was presented to the public was disheartening. I have always given my best under the circumstances.”

Dubljevic missed not only the recent Eurobasket but also the Olympic qualifying tournament in Riga, Latvia, in June 2024. At the time, then-coach Bosko Radovic stated that Dubljevic could not be counted on due to injury. “The reasons were strictly health-related and were known to the Federation and the then-coach. When it was announced that ‘it was not possible to contact me,’ I was going through an extremely difficult health period and had undergone one of three surgeries in the past year. One of those surgeries was particularly serious—not only for my career but for my life. Whenever I was health-wise fit, I always responded to the national team and it has always been an honor to wear the jersey of Montenegro,” he explained.

When asked if this situation signifies a definitive end to his international career, Dubljevic stated, “At this moment, I cannot say that I have retired from the national team.”

Despite the circumstances, he remains supportive of the national team. “Unfortunately, the team made a move without my knowledge and without discussing it with me, and that is certainly not how I envisioned the end of my international career. Regardless, the national team will always be above any individual, including myself. I sincerely wish the team successful qualifications and a place in the World Cup. As always, I will cheer for my country.”

Dubljevic has been following Montenegro’s recent performances in the new World Cup qualification cycle, which included a heavy loss at home against Portugal (62:83) and a victory away against Romania (80:75). He noticed a degree of tension and uncertainty among the players in the first match but felt they performed significantly better in the second game. “Every new project requires time to develop and yield results, and I believe the new coach and younger players need to be given a chance and patience for Montenegrin basketball to return to the level it deserves,” he stated.

Reflecting on the current state of basketball in Montenegro, Dubljevic pointed out the challenges facing both national and European basketball. “The NCAA system has made a significant impact, attracting a vast number of talents and offering them excellent conditions. If we want basketball in Montenegro to remain at the level it once was, it is essential to create better conditions for young players and, above all, to work seriously and continuously with them.”

After eleven successful years at Valencia and a season with the Russian team Zenit, Dubljevic is now in his second season with Zaragoza, where he is currently averaging 6.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. The team is struggling in the domestic Endesa League, sitting in 13th place out of 18 teams, with five wins and nine losses.

“I am not entirely satisfied with how things are going thus far. We have a new coach, many new players, and as with any new project, it takes time to get everything in order. I believe things will improve with time, and the ideas we are developing will finally come to fruition,” he noted.

Zaragoza has also qualified for the next stage of the FIBA competition, where they currently face difficulties after losing their first two matches. Dubljevic remains optimistic, stating, “I think we have a realistic chance to fight for a quarterfinal spot. There are still many games left, and the situation is still in our hands.”

In terms of his individual performance, he revealed he is dealing with ongoing hand issues that have hindered his recovery. “This injury has caused me a lot of problems throughout the season, and I am not fully satisfied with my current condition, but I am doing everything I can to return to the desired level,” he concluded.

Dubljevic began his career in Niksic and has played for Lovcen and Buducnost in Montenegro, before moving to Valencia in 2012. Acknowledging his connection to Buducnost, he admitted, “I don’t follow basketball much anymore. I spend all my free time off the court with my family, who are my priority. I generally keep track of Buducnost’s results but pay less attention now than I used to when there were more local players and friends on the team.”

Among the many highlights of his career, Dubljevic particularly cherishes one match that stands out. “My favorite game was in Podgorica against Latvia, which took us to our first World Cup. It may not have been our best performance, but it was undoubtedly the happiest and most emotional for me,” he recalled.

As for his future plans, Dubljevic remains focused on the current season. “At the moment, I do not have concrete plans. I am focused on this season and we will see how things develop when the season ends.” When asked whether he envisions finishing his playing career in Montenegro, he replied, “Honestly, I have not thought about that at this moment. I am trying to enjoy every minute on the court, give my best, and help the team as much as I can.”

Once his playing career concludes, Dubljevic anticipates a life divided between Spain and Montenegro. “When I finish my career, I will first think about what I want to do, and then make decisions about where to live,” he added.

Dubljevic’s legacy includes numerous trophies and individual accolades earned during his time at Valencia, where he achieved significant success. He was instrumental in leading the team to its first Spanish championship title in 2017, earning the MVP award in the finals against Real Madrid. His contributions have solidified his status as a club legend, with Valencia retiring his jersey number 14, a fitting tribute to one of the greatest players in the club’s history.