By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Kevin Punter opened up about his decision to leave Partizan Belgrade after three years and sign with Barcelona.
“It wasn’t easy, but it also couldn’t compare to last summer when it was complete madness,” Punter said to Mozzart Sport, referring also to being close to joining Barca during the 2023 offseason. “I felt that it was time after three unforgettable seasons in Belgrade. I feel good as a new Barcelona player. A club with a rich history. I expect many beautiful things”
Punter signed a lucrative deal with Partizan in 2021, making a controversial jump from Olimpia Milano, a EuroLeague Final Four team then, to a club that was participating in EuroCup.
“Coming to Partizan at the moment when he was playing in the Eurocup is one of the best decisions I made in my life,” Punter commented.
“I remember how much they thought I was crazy, that I came to Partizan for money or I don’t even know what, “Punter added. “But look today… Partizan is a Euroleague club that everyone is talking about. I don’t think it’s because of me, that someone don’t get it wrong, but it’s just an indication that I wasn’t wrong to come and spend three seasons that I’ll never forget.”
Punter believes he leaves Partizan as not only a more complete player but also a better person.
“There was everything. Ups and downs. But I would never change these three seasons in Partizan. I became a better player. A better man. I progressed. With Željko Obradović, I also became a playmaker, I knew how to pass the ball before, but this it was on a different level. He taught me to look at basketball in a different way. It’s something I’ll always remember.”