Pero Antić: “Kalinić is my brother for life. I hope he becomes an even better coach”

“Kalinić is my brother”

Pero Antić was one of the main stars at the celebration of the ABA League’s 25th anniversary. Speaking to Meridian Sport, the three-time European champion reflected on his relationship with Nikola Kalinić.

The two spent two seasons together at Fenerbahçe, winning the club’s first-ever EuroLeague title in 2017. Kalinić recently retired from professional basketball and has now joined Crvena Zvezda’s coaching staff.

“He is authentic. A man with a big heart and a player who simply doesn’t want to lose. Kalinić is my brother and he was exceptional as a teammate. I hope he will be an even better coach. I heard that he has found peace in his new role, that he has adapted very well, and I believe he will be very successful. He is my brother for life,” Antić said.

“I have many memories, some of them cannot be told”

Antić also looked back on some of the memories they shared at Fenerbahçe.

“There are many memories, many of them are not even for the public… But I’ll tell you one I remember. When I was at Fenerbahçe, I regularly took the whole team to restaurants. Of course, we would run up a huge bill, and then I would take out a cap and everyone had to put their cards inside it. The waiter would draw one, and it landed on Kale. We teased him a little…”

“Jokes aside, he is phenomenal and I can’t wait to see him on the sideline as a coach. I’m interested to see whether he will be a better coach than he was a player.”

“I would like him to become Crvena Zvezda’s head coach”

Antić believes Kalinić has the ambition to eventually become a head coach.

“For now, it seems to me that he will be stricter in practices. He will inevitably help the players a lot, and I have no doubt that he has the ambition to become the head coach of a team.”

He also has a personal preference for where that opportunity should come.

“Personally, I would like that to be Crvena Zvezda in the future, of course.”

“Kalinić and Teodosić are very important for Zvezda”

Antić also discussed Miloš Teodosić, who took on a new role as the club’s sporting director during the summer.

“It is very important that both of them are at the club. They love Zvezda and live for Zvezda. They have been through so much in their careers, played for the best clubs, won European championships and know every aspect of basketball.”

“Now they will be able to pass all of that on to the players, but also help from an organizational standpoint.”

“Zvezda and Teodosić did a great job”

Antić is also impressed with Crvena Zvezda’s work during the offseason.

“Zvezda and Teodosić did a great job during the summer and I can’t wait for the season to start. They will always have my support, whether things go well or not — it doesn’t matter. My support for my Zvezda will never be missing,” Antić concluded.