MOREHEAD, Ky. - Former Morehead State men's basketball standout Nikola Stojakovic recently made a return visit to campus, and the MSU men's basketball coaching staff took a few minutes to interview Nik about his career after MSU. One of the best players in school history, Nik was a point guard from Belgrade, Serbia who concluded a two-year career in 2007-08 and set the MSU single season assist record that season.
One of head coach Donnie Tyndall's favorite players, the MSU coach was thrilled to be able to catch up with Nik.
Q: Coach Tyndall, recently Nikola Stojakovic came back to visit. Can you tell us a little bit about your visit?
It was so great to see Nik. As everyone knows he is one of my all-time favorite players. He came over to the house and ate a couple of times. We had a great time together. Nikola is a young man who is very close to me and will always be a part of my family.
Questions With Nik
Q: What have you been doing since you graduated from MSU?
I have been playing professionally in Serbia this past season. My team was Masinac. I had an up and down season, but as Coach Tyndall always taught me I have turned some of the negatives of my season into positives and learned a great deal from my first season as a professional.
Q: How did your time at MSU help prepare you to play professional basketball?
The biggest thing was learning to work hard on a daily basis. Coach Tyndall and his staff helped push me and develop me and my love of the game grew and grew. The competition at the Division I level was much greater than I anticipated, and these experiences helped me a great deal.
Q: What are some good memories of your time here at MSU?
Wow, there are so many I don't know where to start. My first season beating the conference champs Austin Peay on the road in the last game of the regular season to qualify for the conference tournament is one. My whole second year was memorable. Our team had great chemistry and was unselfish. It helped us to a 3rd place finish after being picked last in the preseason, and, of course meeting my future wife Jessie Plante (Plante was a student-athlete on the women's basketball team with her last season in 2006-07). She has been a fantastic friend, and we are so excited about our future together. Also, my graduation day was awesome, I could see that Coach was very proud of me!
Q: Speaking of Jessie, can you tell us a little about the engagement?
Jessie was over in Serbia this past year as well playing professionally for Kraljevo. I proposed on New Year's Eve which is also her birthday. The wedding is set for July 10th, 2010 in Windsor Ontario, Canada, Jessie's hometown. We plan to live in Europe until I am finished with my professional career, and then most likely make Canada our home.
Q: Going forward what are your expectations for the upcoming year?
I have a new agent, and we are working on several different possibilities for my career. I hope to land on a team where I can play more minutes and showcase my skills.
Q: What are your future expectations for the Eagles?
On my recent visit, I had a chance to play pickup with the team. The talent level is very high and it seems the players are getting bigger and stronger. Everyone knows what to expect, and I know Coach Tyndall will not let the guys get big-headed from last season's experiences. I believe the sky is the limit for MSU basketball.
