By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Nikola Milutinov takes us through the special moments that led him to CSKA Moscow mentioning friendships built and help he got on the way. The 25-year-old center talked to Nova.rs about moving to the Russian powerhouse, his stints with Olympiacos and Partizan, and the Serbian national team.
“Honor, obligations, responsibilities, but also a sense of excitement from the opportunity presented,” he mentioned pointing out his initial feelings after completing his transfer to CSKA.
The Moscow club, 2019 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion, was eyeing Milutinov since last summer but was forced to wait one additional year to sign him. The 2020-21 season will feature the Serbian center sporting a CSKA jersey.
“From day one, it was clear how much they trust me,” he stressed, “Their ideas were direct and concrete. I was specific as well. It was just a matter of time until we agreed. Now it is up to me to prepare for the upcoming season.”
Five years ago, he joined Greek powerhouse, Olympiacos, and since became a force to be reckoned with for all opponents in Europe’s premier club competition.
“I remember first arriving at Olympiacos. I was a kid. I knew I had talent. Thanks to my work at Partizan, talent steadily evolved into quality,” he said looking back, “Everything was new from the team to the city and the country. It was my first step abroad as a player. Olympiacos, the Angelopoulos brothers, coach Sfairopoulos who believed in me, and my teammates, they made me quickly realize that Olympiacos is more than a club.”
Adjusting and eventually throwing himself into the mix with the best centers in Europe was not rewarded with a European championship.
“I regret not combining these five fantastic years with a EuroLeague title,” he confessed, “However, I gained lifelong friendships with Papanikolaou, Vezenkov, Printezis, and Spanoulis. Also special thanks to Milan Tomic who helped me a lot during my first season.”
Asked about Milan Tomic leaving the Reds to assume the head coaching responsibilities at Crvena Zvezda, he replied, “I had said several times that he will do a great job, which he did. It is not an easy task. I know the demands of playing or coaching teams like Zvezda or Partizan.”
Further back into his career and his run with Partizan between 2012 and 2015, Milutinov praised head coach Dusko Vujosevic for his work with the Serbian club’s then young squad full of upcoming players.
“It was amazing how he perceived my potential and the potential of all young players, how much he believed in us and encouraged our progress,” he said, “Beyond the team’s success, most of us moved on to have great careers. Bogdan Bogdanovic, Dragan Milosavljevic, Vladimir Lucic, Joffrey Lauvergne, Léo Westermann, and Dejan Musli.”
He was only 18 when he debuted in EuroLeague with Partizan. Even earlier, at Vrsac made his professional debut under the guidance of Zarko Vucurovic.
“I remember a very young Nikola making his way to Vrsac and the work put in by Zarko,” he took out from his first pro run and went on, “I would call him my basketball father. A true friend.”
Beyond the club level, Milutinov is extremely eager to get back with the Serbian national team. Serbia is set for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament at Belgrade hoping to earn a spot for the Olympic Games moved to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“I talked with Igor Kokoskov several times. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we did not gather as a national team,” he mentioned regarding the boss of the Serbian senior squad and the postponement of both the qualifying tournaments and the Olympics, “Honestly, I can’t wait.”