Serb serves up notions about States

Since arriving in the United States from his hometown of Subotica, Serbia, during fall 2005, Eastern Washington’s Milan Stanojevic has played for three college basketball teams.

The 6-foot-2 junior guard, who is averaging 13.3 points for the Eagles in Big Sky Conference play, started his career at Dixie (Utah) State College then transferred to Northwest Junior College in Powell, Wyo., where he averaged 17.8 points and shot 47.7 percent (118 of 251) from 3-point range as a sophomore last winter.

Earlier this week, between classes and practices in preparation for tonight’s Big Sky road game against Idaho State, Stanojevic sat down and answered some questions about his experiences in the United States.

S-R: Other than your parents and friends, what do you miss most about Serbia?

MS: Serbian food. It’s a lot different here, you know.

S-R: In what way?

MS: In Serbia, we usually sit down each day and have lunch as a family. It’s the most important meal, so we don’t have fast-food restaurants that much. I’m not used to eating that type of food.

S-R: Have you discovered a favorite fast-food restaurant over here?

MS: I like Chili’s. It’s not like really fast food, but it’s a pretty good restaurant. And I like all kinds of Asian food.

S-R: What’s the biggest difference you’ve found between basketball in the U.S. and Serbia?

MS: In Serbia, basketball is more strict. Over here, I have much more freedom – much more freedom to shoot. In Serbia, if I miss two 3s in a row, I might start to think about (whether) to shoot it next time. But here, I have my freedom, and I like it.

S-R: How about between junior college and Division I basketball?

MS: In junior college, they have good players, too, but in Division I, they have better benches. In junior college you have two or three good players on a team, and in Division I there’s like 12 or 15 really good players. It’s a much better game and much harder to play at this level.

S-R: How have you been accepted at Eastern?

MS: I’ve been accepted great. I love my teammates. They’re really, really good friends. I’m happy here.

S-R: You started the first six games this year, but have been coming off the bench recently. How do you like the role of sixth man?

MS: It really doesn’t matter. I have to go in the game and play as hard as I can, no matter when I go in. It’s a coach’s decision and it really doesn’t’ bother me. I still get my minutes, which is important – as long as we win.

S-R: Last question: American girls or Serbian girls?

MS: Oh, man, that’s a difficult one. Just say I’m too young for that, OK?