Zeljko Pavlicevic has never been shy about accepting bold challenges.

He embraced the pressure of high-profile coaching jobs in Yugoslavia, Greece and Spain before setting foot in Japan in 2003 to lead the men¡¯s national team and plant the seeds of success for the future here in the run-up to the 2006 FIBA World Championship.

Numerous players from the Japan men¡¯s national team have led starring roles at the pro level since then. What¡¯s more, his former national team assistant, Tomoya ¡°Coach Crusher¡± Higashino, is now the Japan Basketball Association¡¯s technical director.