Dejan Ilic

Basketball Coach / Scout

  • Founder Of Hoop Mentality

    Dejan Ilić is a professional basketball coach, scout, and author with more than 25 years dedicated to the game. He has worked as a professional coach both domestically and internationally, gaining experience across different leagues and levels. Over his career, he has learned from and collaborated with highly respected coaches, building a deep understanding of strategy and player development. He is the author of Transition Offense Against Any Defense, a detailed coaching guide used by coaches worldwide. As the Founder Of Hoop Mentality, Dejan leads the creation of digital coaching resources, practice systems, and playbooks that serve thousands of coaches and players globally.
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Player's Mind, Coach's Vision

Coaching from Personal Experience

Dejan is a former player with experience in both basketball and 3×3. He represented several Serbian basketball and 3×3 teams, achieving significant results in both. He won more than 10 Serbian and international 3×3 tournaments, finished second in the Serbian national finals, and represented Serbia twice at the Red Bull 3×3 World Finals in the United States. This background gives him direct experience from the player’s side, which he carries into his coaching work today.

Strategic Brilliance

Tactical Expertise and Inspiring Leadership

Coach Dejan has won multiple championships as both a player and a coach. Over the years, he has worked alongside top coaches in Serbia and the Balkan region, gaining experience in leagues such as the Serbian KLS, the ABA League, and Romania’s Liga Națională (LNMB). This background gave him a wide perspective on different coaching styles and systems. In the 2021/2022 season, he led BC Veba Basket from Belgrade, Serbia, to the Regional League championship. He has also worked as a professional scout, where his detailed preparation and tactical knowledge earned him recognition in the basketball community. His coaching is based on clear structure and long-term development, with a focus on helping players reach their full potential both on and off the court. These qualities have made him a respected coach and scout.

Coaching Experience

  • 2008-2013. – U12 assistant coach at various youth teams.
  • 2013-2016. – U18 assistant coach at BC Zitko Basket.
  • 2016/2017. – U18 assistant coach and head scout at BC Red Star Belgrade (First National U18 League).
  • 2017/2018. – Assistant coach and head scout at BC Mladost
    Zemun in the First Serbian Basketball League (Seniors).
  • 2018/2019. – Head of player development, and scout for the U16 team at BC Vizura.
  • 2019. – U16 head coach and Basketball Academy head coordinator at BC Vizura (First National U16 League).
  • Early 2020. (before COVID-19 pandemic) – U16 head coach at BC Zitko Basket.
  • 2020/2021. – Individual basketball practices and youth player development.
  • 2021/2022. – Head coach at BC Veba Basket in the Second Regional League (Finished 1st place, League Champions.)
  • 2022/2023. – Assistant coach and head scout at BC Slodes Belgrade in the 2nd Serbian Basketball League (Seniors). Qualified for the playoffs with the youngest team in the league (average age 19.9).
  • 2023/2024. - Individual basketball practices and youth player development.
  • 2024/2025 - First assistant coach and head scout at CSM Galati, Romania.

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