The 19-year-old guard Mario Hezonja is part of a most promising future of Croatian basketball. But the future is already now at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup for the teen player, who just wants to put on as much experience as he can from Spain 2014.

"I just want to use my minutes the best I can. If I go in, I have to use those minutes the best I can and do my best," said Hezonja, who has already played at the world stage, dragging his country to get the third spot at the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship.

He added: "I've already been at this level with the youth teams. It's kind of the same organisation but of course it's the highest level."

Croatia head coach Jasmin Repesa stated that he deserved a place at Spain 2014.

"They are always by your side so you always learn a lot from them especially from Ante because he plays with me at Barcelona. I really enjoy being here and playing with them. I learn from them every day and every practice," said Hezonja. 

When asked what he learns from them, Hezonja said: "First of all to stay calm. You're the youngest and you're going to be on a big stage. Stay calm. At practice, from Ante I learn about his low-post game and passing, vision and everything. From Roko his experience. I learn from everybody really."

While Hezonja makes his senior national team debut, Dario Saric is playing his third summer for Croatia's main team - despite being just 20 years old.

Hezonja and Saric are two of a rash of high level young Croatian talents who many feel will carry the country to the podium for many years to come.

"Everybody's talking about the future of Croatia; future, future and everything. But we need to stay down to earth and not to waste our moment because our moment is now. We just have to work hard and prepare ourselves mentally and physically for this level. Because this is the biggest stage and level in world basketball," said Hezonja. 

And it's somewhere Hezonja will likely be playing for a long time to come.

(Source: 2014 FIBA Official Website)