Sporting Max

In episode 234, Max is joined by Washington Wizards NBA scout Ivan Mitrovic for a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how elite talent is identified, evaluated, and projected at the highest level of basketball. Ivan takes us through his journey from growing up in Belgrade and playing across Serbia, the US, and Luxembourg, to building his own Balkan-based scouting service and earning a call-up to the NBA in 2023. He opens up on how his early playing experiences shaped his eye for the game and why scouting is about projecting who a player will become, not who they are today. We dive deep into the realities of modern talent identification - how scouting has changed with social media, NIL, and increased access to film and data, why early physical dominance can be misleading, and the traits scouts value most when assessing long-term upside. Ivan breaks down how risk is evaluated, why basketball IQ and decision-making are often undervalued, and how personality, competitiveness, and cultural fit can separate prospects at the highest level. Ivan also reflects on scouting generational talents like Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić, shares insight into Alex Sarr’s development path through Perth, and explains what NBA teams are really looking for when projecting international prospects across Europe, Australia, and beyond. A fascinating, inside look at global scouting, player development, and the decisions that shape the future of the NBA. All this and much more in episode 234 of Sporting Max! www.instagram.com/sportingmax.podcast/