Rudan had already been building up a name for himself before last summer, when he guided Croatia to a fourth place finish at the FIBA U16 European Championship 2017 to qualify for the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018. But that led to German powerhouse club Bayern Munich signing the 6ft 7in (2.00m) forward to a long-term deal.
"The style of living is way more different than in Croatia and professionally it is on a higher level," said Rudan, who played at Cedevita before the move.
Rudan believes the experience abroad has also helped him become a better leader - something the Croatians will need in Rosario and Santa Fe, where they drawn into Group D along with European U16 champions France, hosts Argentina and Philippines.
Croatia were one of the youngest teams at the U16 European Championship with three players born in 2002, making the a year younger than the rest of the competition. While Ivan Perasovic and Matej Bosnjak are both expected to play in Argentina, Boris Tisma will not be there. In his place will be Roko Prkacin, who might be one of the top 2002-born players in the country.