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Founder Of Hoop Mentality
Professional Basketball Coach
Dejan Ilić is a professional basketball coach and scout with experience in Serbia and internationally. He has worked in the Serbian KLS, ABA League, and Romania's Liga Națională, developing a reputation for detailed game preparation, player development and practical coaching solutions. He is the author of Transition Offense Against Any Defense and the Founder of Hoop Mentality, where he creates digital coaching resources used by coaches around the world.
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
2025/2026 - Professional and youth player development via Hoop Mentality
2024/2025 - First assistant coach and head scout at CSM Galati, Romania.
2023/2024 - Professional and youth player development via Hoop Mentality
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).
2021/2022 - Head coach at BC Veba Basket in the Second Regional League (Finished 1st place, League Champions.)
2020/2021 - Individual basketball practices and youth player development.
Early 2020. (before COVID-19 pandemic) - U16 head coach at BC Zitko Basket.
U16 head coach and Basketball Academy head coordinator at BC Vizura (First National U16 League).
2018/2019. - Head of player development, and scout for the U16 team at BC Vizura.
2017/2018. - Assistant coach and head scout at BC Mladost Zemun in the First Serbian Basketball League (Seniors).
2016/2017. - U18 assistant coach and head scout at BC Red Star Belgrade (First National U18 League).
2013-2016. - U18 assistant coach at BC Zitko Basket.
2008-2013. - U12 assistant coach at various youth teams.
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