International basketball academy for U16–U20 players.
About EBA Ljubljana
EBA Ljubljana's Vision:
To become the leading international basketball academy in Central Europe - where young athletes grow as players, students, and leaders.
EBA Ljubljana's Mission:
To build complete athletes - skilled, disciplined, and ready for the next level on and off the court.
EBA Ljubljana's Philosophy (Two-Way Player Model):
We train players to excel on both ends - relentless defense, smart offense, and strong character.
Basketball IQ, effort, and integrity define who we are.
The quote we train and live by:
“Talent gets noticed. Character gets recruited.”
Our International 🏀 Full-Time Residential Program
September – June
-
Professional basketball & S&C staff
-
Slovenian league play + 2–3 international tournaments
-
Dormitory housing with meals and mentorship
-
Monthly workshops
Development Breakdown
-
Team Practices: 4–5×/week
-
Individual Skills: 2-3×/week
-
Strength & Conditioning: 2×/week
-
Game Film & IQ: 1–2×/week
-
Player Evaluations: October, January, May
Off-Court Development
-
School & study support
-
Mental training and confidence building
-
Sports nutrition and recovery
-
Branding, media, and financial literacy workshops
At EBA Ljubljana, we don’t just train - we transform.
1. System-Fit Player: adaptable, smart, plug & play
2. Relentless Hustler: first in, last out, all in
3. Two-Way Threat: defensive anchor, offensive engine
4. Sharp Shooter: confident, consistent, clutch
5. Multi-Dimensional Scorer: craft, control, creativity
6. Playmaker: elevates teammates, reads the game
7. Resilient Competitor: mentally tough, always ready
8. High-Character Teammate: accountable, humble, coachable
“This is what we do. This is who we build.”
EBA Ljubljana Team.
Our team brings together former professional players, experienced coaches, and dedicated experts from the fields of strength training, psychology, nutrition, and education — all united by one goal: to guide every athlete toward their highest potential.
Jure Zdovc
Hall of Fame coach and mentor. Brings decades of elite experience and leadership.
Ugur Yildirim
Founder of the EBA Ljubljana with strong ties and passion for basketball and player development.
Luka VonÄŤina
Academy Director
Former pro player, director of KK Ilirija, and advocate for dual-career development.
Jurij Ucman
Sports Director – Head of youth programs at KK Ilirija and assistant coach for senior team at KK Ilirija.
Gregor Gornjec
Head coach for U18 & U16
Nik PrpiÄŤ
Assistant coach for U18
Rok DrÄŤa Završnik
Assistant coach for U16
Domen Lorbek
Shoot & skills coach
Lisa Mislej VonÄŤina
Academic Advisor
Study support and college placement guidance.
Tjaša Jezernik
Sports Psychologist
Mental resilience and focus specialist.
AndraĹľ Hren
Academy Administrator
Kevin Nemec
Strength & Conditioning – Certified kinesiology expert, national team experience.
Zoja IvanÄŤiÄŤ
Physiotherapist
Player care, injury prevention, and rehab specialist.
Our partners
Every partner we work with shares our mission: giving players the best possible pathway to success. Through elite gear, proper nutrition, professional weight rooms, municipal support, and strong club connections, we create a world-class ecosystem for player development.
Municipality of Ljubljana
Official Apparel Provider
Official Nutrition Provider
Fitness Partner
Partner Clubs
We collaborate with clubs to give our players every opportunity to compete, develop, and play at the right level. The academy fits naturally with any club schedule, and players from all teams are welcome — your development always comes first.
Apply to EBA Ljubljana
We are more than coaches — we are mentors, teachers, and leaders who believe in the power of hard work, discipline, and character to build future champions.
Have a question for us? Feel free to contact us at: