Umoja Gibson to Cedevita Olimpija Fans: We Need You!

Cedevita Olimpija’s new point guard, Umoja Gibson, recently concluded the 2024/25 competitive season, having played with Spartak in the Serbian national championship final. He traveled from Subotica to the United States at the end of this week and is already eagerly looking forward to joining his new teammates in Stožice in August.

In the 2025/26 season, Umoja Gibson will play his second consecutive season in the ABA League after spending the previous season with Spartak. During that season, he faced Cedevita Olimpija twice.

“The chemistry I feel with the ABA League drew me in. I’m used to it, I know it. Playing in the EuroCup at the highest level is a new step forward in my career, and that’s what excited me the most. Last season, I played against Cedevita Olimpija and observed the incredible season the club had. I want to be part of such a project.”

For the first time in his life, Gibson will have the opportunity to get to know Ljubljana more closely.

“I’m excited about coming to Ljubljana. I’ve heard a lot of great things about the city, even though I haven’t experienced it personally yet. I’m looking forward to exploring it and experiencing what it’s like to live there.”

With Spartak, Umoja also played in the ABA League playoffs, so we asked him about the experiences he gained in the regional league.

“The ABA League was my first competitive experience of this kind in my career. The competition is extremely demanding—you have to fight for every point every night. The teams are well-prepared, the scouting is thorough, and the coaches are excellent. Nothing is given to you. Now that I have this experience, it’s time to bring my wisdom and knowledge to the court and achieve great results with the team.”

What are Gibson’s goals for the upcoming competitive season?

“I don’t like to share personal ambitions; I prefer to keep them to myself. However, I definitely have goals for the upcoming season, and they’re tied to winning—whether it’s in the EuroCup, ABA League, or Slovenian championship, it doesn’t matter. I always want to win. With the team, I want to win a championship title.”

In the upcoming season, he will also take a step forward by playing in the EuroCup.

“Playing in the EuroCup next season is a step forward for me. I’m excited to compete against the best point guards. I can’t wait for the opportunity to face elite players. I’m confident that I’m more than capable of playing at their level. I’m looking forward to matching up against some of the best point guards in the world.”

For fans who may not have seen Gibson play in the 2024/25 season with Spartak, we asked him to introduce himself before stepping onto the court.

“On the court, I’m always close to my opponent, following their every move. I’m aggressive, I love to pressure the ball and the opponent right from the inbound. That’s something that was instilled in me as a child, and I carry it with me everywhere. I believe it gives me an edge over opponents. On the offensive end, I’d describe my style as crafty. I can get to my shot when I want to, I know how to read the game and involve my teammates. I believe I can establish myself as a leader on the court.”

With Spartak, Umoja also played in the Serbian national championship final, so his season only ended a few days ago. What are his plans for the upcoming summer?

“My season just ended. I’ll use the summer to improve my skills and spend as much time as possible in the gym. I’ll be watching game footage from the Euroleague, EuroCup, and ABA League, especially focusing on point guards. I’ll analyze a lot of footage to become more tactical in my game and reading situations. In that regard, I want to learn from the best. I believe you can’t fully prepare for challenges, but when they come, you have to be ready and face them head-on. You have to look in the mirror and be prepared.”

His message to the fans is straightforward:

“We need you! We need your support, to come to the games and show us love. I believe the fans’ support helps us play with more passion and makes the path to victory easier. Players feed off the energy of the fans. When the fans are in the game, it’s a huge advantage for us as players. Come support us this season, and I hope we’ll sell out a few games together!”