Miha Cerkvenik Returns to the Dragon’s Nest: “I Can’t Wait to Get Started!”

After five years playing for Ilirija and Krka, Miha Cerkvenik is returning to Cedevita Olimpija for the 2025/26 season, the club where he grew up as a basketball player, starting at Peter Vilfan’s Basketball School. Upon signing his contract with the Ljubljana-based club, we invited Miha to speak on Cedevita Olimpija TV, and you can read part of the conversation below.

Miha began his basketball journey at Peter Vilfan’s Basketball School, later continuing in Stožice, followed by five seasons—two with Ilirija and three with Krka.

“I’m incredibly grateful to Peter Vilfan and his basketball school, as the start of my journey was truly wonderful. That’s where I learned all the basketball fundamentals. After two or three years, I joined Cedevita Olimpija, where I discovered the competitive side of basketball. Along the way, I worked with many excellent coaches who guided me and each taught me something new in their own way. Then I moved to Ilirija, where I spent two unforgettable seasons. The last three years I played for Krka, and I have fond memories of Novo Mesto. Now I’m back, and I can’t wait to get to work.”

Over the past five years, Miha has matured as a player at two clubs that, alongside Cedevita Olimpija, will compete in the ABA League next season. After five years, he’s returning to the Dragon’s Nest, where he will wear the Dragons’ jersey at the highest level of senior basketball for the first time.

“I think every young basketball player dreams of a journey like mine. I grew up in the best Slovenian clubs, and I have very fond memories of that.”

In the upcoming season, Cerkvenik will make his debut in the EuroCup, having already gained valuable experience in the ABA League while playing for Krka.

“The court is the court, the ball is the ball, the hoops are the hoops. It’s five-on-five, so I believe I won’t have too much trouble adjusting to a higher level.”

With a few weeks left until the senior team’s first training camp for the new season, Miha is determined to dedicate nearly the entire summer to training.

“Train. Maybe I’ll take a week to rest my mind and body, but the rest of the time will be devoted to training.”

We also asked him about his goals for the new season.

“I want to train as much as possible, improve, and refine the aspects of my game that still need work. That’s my personal goal. However, team goals always come first. It’s about how I can contribute to the team and help achieve our collective objectives.”

And his message to Cedevita Olimpija fans?

“I can’t wait to see you in the stands. I hope we’ll celebrate as many victories together as possible, and I want to see more of you at every game. My goal is to play in front of a packed Stožice arena, as those are the most memorable moments.”