Multi-Layered 7-1 Center to visit FSU This Weekend

A variety of tools and the threat of matchup headaches at the high-major level has made Class of 2019 F/C Balsa Koprivica a no-brainer caliber recruit.

Now at Windermere Prep in Orlando, Koprivica will assume some ownership of the traditionally potent program.

Koprivica’s advanced skill-set in putting the ball on the floor, scoring at all three levels, dishing and operating in the up-tempo attack has endeared the 7-foot-1, 240-pound behemoth to programs such as Louisville, Baylor, Florida State, LSU, Wake Forest, and UCLA.

 Leaning on hard-to-guard 3-point shooting and possessing enhanced footwork and pinpoint passing, the Serbian big offers a rarified skill-set many at his size simply cannot replicate.

Impressed with a recent unofficial visit to Louisville, the five-star recruit will visit Florida State with several teammates this weekend.

Koprivica, who played for Nike Team Florida and the Serbian 18U national team this summer, will take in the football game against N.C. State at Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday. USC, UCLA, Baylor, and Arizona also appear to be jockeying for front-runner position on Koprivica. Kentucky assistant Tony Barbee will be on hand to see Koprivica today, as first reported by 247Sports’ Chris Fisher.

“He’s definitely a special kid with his ability to do things most 7-1 kids can’t, but his bread and butter is his back to the basket game,” said 1Family’s Brad Augustine, instrumental in propelling the development of the stretch four caliber big.

“We think he’s going to fall between a (Kristaps) Porzingis and Paul Gasol type. He’s able to put it in the floor, operate in multiple flow offenses, and really create for himself.”

At Windermere Prep, which recently produced a veritable swiss army knife in dazzling 6-foot-7 playmaker David Nickelberry (now at Memphis), Koprivica will inherit lofty expectations.

The team returns Shaquan Jules, a 6-foot-7 wing known for his athleticism and explosive finishes. They also bring back a rugged veteran guard in Rahsaan Lewis, the son of Lakeland, Fla. native and the famed former NFL linebacker Ray Lewis.

 Koprivica comes in after a stellar sophomore campaign at the University School in Fort Lauderdale, where he played alongside top 2019 recruit in 6-foot-10, 250-pound Vernon Carey.

Carey appears to be a priority for both Duke and North Carolina, both of which have offered the bruising forward. Kentucky recently offered Carey, who is slated to visit Michigan State this weekend.

“I think it’s a great switch for him,” said Augustine of Koprivica’s transfer to Windermere.

“Obviously, he was playing with a very talented guy in Vernon Carey at University. Now, he’s going to get a chance to be an alpha dog. It’s going to be a great opportunity for him to develop as a leader.”