Butler University’s basketball program is turning its gaze beyond domestic borders, leveraging an expanded scouting network to bring in elite talent from Europe. Coach Ronald Nored and his staff have embraced the realities of the transfer portal era, using a combination of video analysis and on‑the‑ground visits to identify players who can thrive in a positionless system.
General manager Tony Bollier, whose career has been shaped by stints in the G League and the NBA, has cultivated a web of international contacts that now includes Misko Ražnatović, the founder of BeoBasket. Ražnatović, the same agent who represents former Ohio State standout Jon Diebler and NBA stars such as Nikola Jokic and Ivica Zubac, has been instrumental in connecting Butler with promising European prospects.
Global Scouting Meets Positionless Basketball
Among those prospects is Asim Djulovic, a guard who previously competed for Mega Superbet in the Adriatic League. Ražnatović recommended Djulovic after noting his scoring touch and ability to operate at both the three‑point line and the forward positions. Bollier traveled to the league, watched Djulovic in person, and confirmed that his three‑point shooting was consistently elite, cementing the guard’s status as a top target for the Bulldogs.
Djulovic joins a recruiting class that also features Marko Maric from Croatia and Samu Adler from Finland, giving Butler a blend of immediate impact and long‑term development. The coaching staff’s emphasis on positionless basketball means every newcomer must be capable of shooting, defending multiple spots and contributing on both ends of the floor. This approach, combined with the cultural diversity of the roster, is designed to foster strong team chemistry and accelerate player development.
The summer workouts and cultural exchanges that bring together players from Europe, South America and the United States are already showing promise. Djulovic has said he is drawn to Butler’s welcoming environment, the chance to compete in the Big East and the academic opportunities that the university offers, making the move appealing both on and off the court.