By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Aleksej Pokusevski made the jump to the NBA and signed his rookie contract after being selected with the 17th overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2020 draft and traded later on to Oklahoma City Thunder. The youngest selectee of this year’s draft explained his feelings after hearing his name for the 17th pick, during his media availability on Thursday.
“Like I said once, I was shocked that I was chosen at number 17 and then transferred to OKC, I was shocked. I didn’t know that was gonna happen but I was happy about it”, Pokusevski told the media. He also revealed that there was no contact between and the team and him prior to the draft, despite the rumored interest of OKC in the 18-year-old forward.
Pokusevski spent the 2019-20 season with Greek side Olympiacos‘ B team and already feels at home in Oklahoma, as he further explained.
“Getting used to the time and the people in the city — they’re warm, they’ve welcomed me like I’ve been playing here, but this is my first time. I’m happy”, Pokusevski added. “Guys from the club are perfect. Great guys. They’re warm. It’s just like a family. I’m 10 days here but I feel like the whole season here.”
Check out Pokusevski’s interview in full below: