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Q&A With Nemanja Calasan
 
This season, junior forward Nemanja Calasan has been a welcome addition to the Boilermaker frontcourt.

 
Against No. 11 Wisconsin, Calasan hit a key three-point basket with 7:03 remaining in the second-half that gave the Boilermakers a 50-42 lead and brought the Mackey faithful to their feet.
 
Against No. 11 Wisconsin, Calasan hit a key three-point basket with 7:03 remaining in the second-half that gave the Boilermakers a 50-42 lead and brought the Mackey faithful to their feet.
 
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Feb. 7, 2008

Q&A with Nemanja Calasan

By David Brienza, Purdue Sports Information student assistant

This season, junior forward Nemanja Calasan has been a welcome addition to the Boilermaker frontcourt. The junior college transfer has added depth to a Purdue frontcourt that lacked size at the end of last season. Calasan hasn't just brought a big body to West Lafayette though. This season, the 6-foot-9, 243-pound product out of Srbinje, Bosnia & Herzegovina has provided the Boilermakers with a low-post presence and the willingness to bang down low in the trenches.

According to teammate Keaton Grant, Calasan has brought his game along with a fiery attitude.

"He definitely brings that mean streak that we can use," Grant said. "He can play in the post; he can play physical and bang on the blocks. Then, he can pop out and hit that outside jumper. I think that's a huge plus for our team; it just makes us that much more versatile."

After helping lead Midland Junior College to a Junior College National Championship as a sophomore in 2007, Calasan is averaging 7.6 points per game and 3.6 rebounds per game for Purdue this year.

In the Boilermakers' Dec. 1, 2007, victory over Indiana State, Calasan led the team in scoring with 16 points and pulled down six rebounds. Calasan has scored in double figures six times this season, including a season-best 17 in Purdue's come from behind victory over Illinois. Against No. 11 Wisconsin, Calasan hit a key three-point basket with 7:03 remaining in the second-half that gave the Boilermakers a 50-42 lead and brought the Mackey faithful to their feet.

Purdue Sports Information recently had the chance to speak with Nemanja about his first season as a Boilermaker and how he's enjoying his time at Purdue so far.

Sports Information: What made you want to come play at Purdue?

 

 

Calasan: The whole atmosphere, the coaches made me feel really comfortable. I had originally committed to play at Utah, but they had a coaching change and I didn't like their new style of basketball. When I came here, none of the players were around and I really got to know the coaches well. I was able to develop a relationship with the coaching staff here very quickly and the coaches have been really great. Coach Painter, Martin, Lusk and Ray really made it easy for me to come and talk to them; they made me feel really comfortable.

Sports Information: How have you enjoyed your time at Purdue?

Calasan: Oh, it's been great. I love the team, the coaches and the program and its been a great time so far. I love the team; we're all on one page and I'm confident that all the work we're putting in is going to pay off at the end of the season.

What has been the biggest difference in Division I compared to Junior College?

Calasan: There are many bigger bodies here, like mine, especially in the Big Ten. It has been a much more physical game. There are hard fouls and they don't call as many fouls. I love the physical style of basketball though, especially in the Big Ten. I think the physical game suits me. From game to game, I love to bang and feel much more comfortable playing down low. I like to come out and shoot the three as well, because you know in Europe everyone can shoot. But, I just want to do whatever I can to help the team win.

Sports Information: Who has been the toughest player you've faced this season and who do you look forward to playing against this season?

The toughest player was Brian Butch (Wisconsin). I'm looking forward to playing against D.J. White and DeAndre Thomas (Indiana) and also Jamarcus Ellis (Indiana), who I played against at the Junior College National Championship last year.

Sports Information: What game are you looking forward to this season?

Calasan: Definitely Indiana, because of the big rivalry. We are looking forward to that one, but we still have a lot of work to do before that game. We're going to keep working to try and win that one.

Sports Information: What part of your game do you want to improve on?

Calasan: I think every part of my game needs to improve, but I think my post defense and post moves need to improve the most. I need to get harder and stronger around the basket. I also need to keep playing defense, listen to the coaches and not use my hands as much.

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