University Park, Pa. -- Penn State Nittany Lion basketball player Milos Bogetic (Podgorica, Serbia and Montenegro) arrived at Penn State in May for the first summer session, officially becoming the first new Nittany Lion in Penn State's incoming class to start classes. While the rest of Bogetic's recruiting class arrives for the second summer session or the start of classes in the fall, the Montenegro native is getting a leg up on life in the United States.
"It has been great so far," Bogetic said. "Everyone around the basketball program has been so friendly and helpful. I'm getting into better shape and taking a class now will really help me adjust to the heavier academic schedule in the fall." Bogetic will also be taking a class second summer session.
For Bogetic, the transition is one of both culture and perspective. In his home of Podgorica, the capitol of the Republic of Montenegro, Bogetic is used to hot, dry weather. Montenegro, along the southeastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, is sandwiched between Bosnia and Albania. The weather, says Bogetic, is similar to that of the American southwest. "It's hot, and a dry heat," he says with a smile. "I'm very much looking forward to winter here."
Bogetic is also undergoing a transition in time management. Back home, his days were filled with schooling at home and basketball. Athletes in his country, he says, if they are good enough academically, did not have to attend school on a regular basis. They did their course work at home and took the same tests as their would-be classmates. Bogetic, very intelligent and driven, had no problems meeting his academic requirements and spent a good part of each day training and playing basketball.
At Penn State, he is finding it an interesting change to have to budget his time between his summer course work and the initial workouts he is undergoing as a Nittany Lion basketball player. From weight training to cardio-vascular work, Bogetic continues to press forward in order to prepare himself for his first collegiate season. He is also getting used to American food, American television, and American culture in general.
"This is a wonderful place," Bogetic says. "You have access to so many things, so much in the way of options. Back home, food for instance, was good but basic. Here there are choices everywhere."
"It's fun, all these choices," he continues with a smile. "But the coaches keep telling me to not go crazy with it! So I'm careful and I keep working out very hard." Bogetic is listed at 6-10, 245 pounds. He has a strong, solid frame and is expected to compete for substantial playing time on the Penn State baseline.
Basketball, he says, will take care of itself. He loves being on the team and he loves all the players that he's met. His excitement at getting everyone together for second summer session, when all but one of the future Nittany Lions will be on campus, is palpable. But right now, before basketball begins in earnest, the youthful big man from Podgorica is enjoying the transition from Eastern Europe to the Eastern U.S.
"This is a dream for me, playing college basketball," Bogetic says. "Basketball players in my country have two options. Turn pro and play in any number of leagues in Europe or come to the U.S. and get an education. For me, this is the right choice."