Nemanja Nedovic is projected as a mid-second round pick in the 2013 NBA Draft by Draft Express. As is to be expected for a talent young player, Nedovic was a yo-yo guy in his debut Euroleague season. The 21-year-old athletically gifted guard had many ups and downs, from a slow start to 16 points performance against Partizan.

But after making changes to the coaching staff, Nedovic’s adjustment to the top level was accelerated and he received more playing time. One of the most talented European point guards, Nedovic averaged 23 minutes per game in the Euroleague this season, averaging 9.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists.

However, recently Lietuvos Rytas again swapped their coaches by hiring Dirk Bauermann. Despite it's unusual practice, Nedovic says he already experienced that before and knows how to handle the transition. A member of the Serbian national team, Nedovic told RealGM that he has had 12 different coaches since 2007.

RealGM sat down with Nedovic in Vilnius to talk about his first season with Lietuvos Rytas, development in the Euroleague, his NBA dream and much more.

RealGM: First of all, could you talk about your first season with Lietuvos Rytas in general and how you developed your game in Lithuania?

Nedovic: I think it was the right move to come to Lietuvos Rytas. We all know it's a good club, which plays in great competition, Euroleague and VTB league. It was a good decision to come here. Talking about my game, I tried to develop every part of it, especially on the defensive end. With coach Dirk Bauermann here, I am working very hard on that part of my game. Also, I'm trying to improve my playmaking and shooting skills, and pretty much everything around that.

RealGM: You had a slow start this year, but later your role got much bigger. Did you foresee that happening?

Nedovic: As you said, the start of the season was a bit slow because I had to adapt. I'm still 21 years old and I'm not that experienced. It was a little bit hard to be away from home, but everything is fine now and it feels like home now.

RealGM: I heard that one of the reasons you signed with Lietuvos Rytas was head coach Aleksandar Dzikic who later got fired. Did you find it ironic that after the reason you got here, you started to receive more playing time after he left?

Nedovic: Maybe, but coach Dzikic was here when I just arrived. Like I said, it was a situation when I had to adapt and get to know my teammates. It was normal that I didn't play much at the beginning. As the season went along, I started to spend more time on the court. And now I feel very comfortable.

RealGM: Could you distinguish any games this season in which you learned the most this year?

Nedovic: All Euroleague games are special, because you learn from every single of them. If I have to choose one game, that would be a game against Partizan in Belgrade. It was special for me because I played in Belgrade again and it was a pretty much good game.

RealGM: As a former Crvena Zvezda player, did you feel hard-feelings at that game from Partizan fans?

Nedovic: I think I didn't leave a strong impression back then because I was young. And even though I played a lot games against them, I never had any conflicts or bad situations with them. They might remember my good games, but there's nothing negative involved in that.

RealGM: In your last season with Crvena Zvezda (Red Star) under coach Svetislav Pesic, you didn't receive much playing time. Could you explain why that happened?

Nedovic: We had a hard season in general, because before that I played at the point guard position for my whole career, even if it's pretty much short yet, but then coach Pesic moved me to play shooting guard. It was a little bit hard and the fans expected 30 minutes and 20 points per game from me. A year before that, Crvena Zvezda was almost disappearing and I was playing a lot, and everybody expected to happen the same again under coach Pesic. However, it was not possible because there were many good players, the system was different and the level of competition was different as well. The goals of the club were higher too. I still think I've improved a lot last year because the coach pushed me to work on my defense and my weaknesses. Despite not playing much, I still had good games. I believe I've improved my game and I cannot be disappointed.

RealGM: Until now, you have been playing under three different coaches this season. Could you name the differences between Lithuanian, Serbian and German basketball schools?

Nedovic: I would say that Lithuanian and Serbian basketball schools are pretty much the same. But the German school is more like an American school. I would not like to name the differences between the coaches because it is not up to me. Coach [Aleksandar] Dzikic, Darius [Maskoliunas] and Dirk [Bauermann] have their own qualities and I would not like to talk about it. But three coaches in one season - that is very strange. I've been counting two days ago that since 2007 I had 12 different coaches. I have no problems on adapting to new coaches, but I would like to stay under one coach for at least one season.

RealGM: Last season you signed a three-year contract with Lietuvos Rytas. Do you still think that signing a long-term deal was a good decision?

Nedovic: Yes, it was a very good decision. As I mentioned in the beginning, this is the right place to be for me. I have an option to go to the NBA after the season, but it's too early to talk about it yet. I feel very comfortable here and it feels like home.

RealGM: Many NBA scouts came to see you playing this season. What kind of feedback have they usually left?

Nedovic: I think NBA scouts are not allowed to talk to the players, but they did communicate with Tomi [Zubcic] and Milt [Palacio]. They told me that NBA scouts came to see me but nothing specific. However, it's a big honor and a big thing. The NBA is the best league in the world and it's great to know that NBA scouts are coming to Vilnius to see me play.

RealGM: Overall, are you a big fan of the NBA?

Nedovic: Actually, I am. I've been following the league since 2002. My dream is to play in the NBA, but first I need to finish this season and stay focused on Lietuvos Rytas. Then we could talk about the NBA Draft.

RealGM: When you watch NBA games, do you catch yourself thinking, 'if I were him, I would do this or that'?

Nedovic: I had moments when I was thinking how I would react in a particular situation. But honestly, I even haven't worked out with the NBA teams yet. After I finish the season, I'll have my first workouts with NBA teams and I'll see what is it about. I will see if I'm ready or not. But sometimes I was thinking what I would do if I'm in the game.

RealGM: Are you looking forward to this offseason and NBA workouts?

Nedovic: I still don't know which workouts I will participate in. All I know is that after I finish the season, I'll be practicing in Belgrade and then I'll go to Adidas EuroCamp in Treviso. I think after Treviso I'll go to NBA workouts, but I still don't know where.

RealGM: Are you going to play for the Serbian national team as well?

Nedovic: If the coach of Serbian national team calls me, I will be there. I think the pre-camp starts on the 25th of June and if my name is on the list, I'm going to be there. My summer is going to be busy, but at the same time, I'm looking forward to it. Honestly, I can't wait to go home, but I'm going to work very hard, I have to work on my individual skills and summer is the best time to work on your body and skills.

RealGM: With the Serbian national team, you've been playing together with Milos Teodosic, who is considered one of the top point guards in Europe. What have you learned from playing alongside Teodosic?

Nedovic: I've learned a lot. He helped me a lot, same as all guys because our national team is very experienced, [Dusko] Savanovic, [Nenad] Krstic, Teodosic. They are good and experienced guys and you can learn a lot from them, especially from Milos. We play at the same position and I can agree that he's one of the top point guards in Europe.

RealGM: How close are the players on the Serbian national team? Do you guys stay in touch with each other all season long?

Nedovic: I stay in touch with almost everybody. Even from Partizan. I have few friends from Partizan and we stay in touch all the time. And on the national team, there are older guys who always pick up the phone whenever I call them.

RealGM: Is there anything specific you enjoy about living and playing basketball in Vilnius, Lithuania?

Nedovic: It's very impressive how much people love basketball here. Before I came here, I didn't know that, but now I see how much people love Lietuvos Rytas and Zalgiris here, or any other club. Wherever we go, the gym is almost always full. Also Vilnius is a nice city, not too big or small. Just the weather… But my teammates say it's going to be nicer [laughing].