How playing for his national team has made Igor Milicic Jr. a star for the Charlotte 49ers

Igor Milicic Jr. brought a sense of determination to the Charlotte 49ers, and it’s been evident throughout the season.

The 6-foot-10 junior forward, born in Pula, Croatia, participated in a grueling summer campaign with the Polish national team, as his father, Igor Sr., played professionally in several countries and took the reins in Poland three years ago.

Last summer’s experience was draining, mentally and emotionally, as he battled through a 13-game tournament for an opportunity to go to the Olympic Games. Milicic Jr. was significantly younger than most of his Polish teammates and couldn’t help that he was, as his college coach Aaron Fearne put it: the “coach’s son.”

Following his first season with the Charlotte 49ers — who close out their regular season at 4 p.m. Saturday against East Carolina — Milicic Jr. was trying to increase his fitness as practices got shorter. He pushed himself to his limits during conditioning, and once he got to Poland, simply tried to take in everything he could from the older guys.

“When I got there, I was trying to pick up on the mentality that the older guys have,” Milicic Jr. explained after posting a career-high 26 points in Charlotte’s win on Wednesday. “More experienced guys play EuroLeague, play in different leagues in Europe, and I’m trying to see what they’re doing before practice, how they approach practice, what they do after practice, if they’re getting treatment.

“Are they talking about whatever, movies, or are they just locked in on what we are gonna do on the basketball court? That was the biggest difference, I feel. I learned a lot, and that got me to be a better basketball player this year.”

Throughout this season with Charlotte (18-11), Milicic Jr. has truly valued every repetition. The returning wing, who started his collegiate career at the University of Virginia, has developed habits that have become evident to his coaches and teammates in University City.

Milicic Jr.’s commitment to the Polish national team last summer was impressive. And after playing such a high level of basketball, his confidence has only increased as he’s thrived in his return to his collegiate program, where he’s averaging 13 points per game.

“That’s why you have consistent success,” Fearne said. “He might not have elite success every game. But you have consistent success over the course of the year, and he’s displayed that through his effort. It’s awesome to see.”

Strong play late from Milicic Jr. sealed Charlotte’s 69-64 win over Rice — following a thrilling January overtime victory in which Charlotte overcame a 20-point deficit — on Wednesday in its home finale.

Milicic Jr. swatted a shot on a drive to the basket after the Owls had pulled to within three late in the second half, then slammed a dunk on the other end. He hit clutch free throws late and secured the rebound with five seconds left that ended Rice’s chances.

Charlotte, initially picked to finish 13th of 14 ACC teams preseason, hasn’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 2005. The 49ers won seven straight conference games after dropping their AAC opener at SMU, along with defeating their first ranked opponent at home since 2010 when they triumphed over Florida Atlantic in January.

The 26 points with which Milicic Jr. finished on Wednesday are the most of any Charlotte 49er in a game this year. He’s been a huge part of his team’s offense all season and is poised to be a part of any postseason run it has — especially considering what he’s endured suiting up for the Polish national team.

“He’s playing with some older, well-experienced veteran pros that are probably looking at this young guy, being a coach’s son,” Fearne said. “He had to deal with that. His dedication to commit to that, but also to come back and be with us, and then go back and be part of the national program, and his growth this year has been awesome to see.”