By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Varying from three previous NBA campaigns with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Serbian Aleksej Pokusevski has been healthy for most of the 2023-24 edition of the NBA Regular Season but is limited to seven games attached to 6.1 minutes per contest. Being currently available, he last played for the Thunder on December 11.
“He is healthy,” head coach Mark Daigneault commented on the status of Pokusevski, relays Clemente Almanza.
“You can only dress 15 guys and we have had an uncommon run of health here,” explained the 38-year-old tactician, “You have to make three guys inactive and we usually just put out the 15 in uniform that we think are most relevant for that game that night.”
Pokusevski, 22, is set to become a restricted free agent this summer. Failing to reach a deal for a contract extension has been rumored as the reason behind limited participation. Averaging 0.9 points, 1.1 rebounds, 0.7 assists, and 0.1 blocks per game paints the picture of the ongoing campaign.
After being selected with the 17th overall pick of the 2020 draft, coming out of Greek powerhouse Olympiacos, he logged 140 appearances over three seasons. Plenty of exciting showings translated into 7.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 0.6 steals per contest.
Representing Serbia at the international level, Pokusevski played in the 2018 U17 World Cup and the 2019 U18 European Championship. Partially due to injuries, he has yet to debut at the senior level.
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