By Nikola Miloradovic / info@eurohoops.net
After four years in the NBA with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Charlotte Hornets, former 17th draft pick, Aleksej Pokuševski, returned to Europe, where he started his professional career with Olympiacos, becoming the youngest player from the Piraeus team to debut in the EuroLeague.
This time around, he is going to compete against the Greek side in the top continental competition, donning the black and white jersey of Partizan Belgrade, from his home country Serbia.
Talking to Eurohoops, he explains that the biggest reason for returning to Europe was to improve and to win, and just going through the preseason with the most decorated EuroLeague coach, Željko Obradović, has already helped him. And he already got two ABA League wins under his belt.
“I think I’ve already gotten better, and that was one of the main reasons I came here. Overall, we’ve gotten better as a team, we’ve grown closer, and I think it’s going to be a good season for us.”
Partizan revamped the whole team, signing 14 new players, including Pokuševski, but the Serbian forward is excited for what’s coming.
“What stood out for me is how everybody is motivated. Everybody is staying after and coming before practice, and that’s going to show during the season. And how young we are, it’s special.”
Even before the start of the EuroLeague season, Aleksej had a chance to return to Athens, where he was part of Olympiacos‘ youth setup before debuting for the first team.
“It feels great every time I go there; that’s my second home. My family is there, my brother was there. Playing was good, as was seeing some people I used to spend time with.”
He didn’t face his old team, but that is bound to happen soon. Partizan will host Olympiacos in late November, and will travel to Piraeus in March.
“It’s going to be a good game for me, a good experience being on the court where I grew up. It’s going to be a special day.”
Also, he will most likely face a player who helped him a lot growing up in Olympiacos‘ system, Nikola Milutinov. His fellow Serbian center re-joined the Piraeus team a year ago.
“Every time I see him, I’m happy because he’s a great guy. We spent some time together back in Athens. He’s happy to be in Olympiacos, it’s like home to him.”
Aleksej had a chance to work with Milutinov over the summer when he was part of the Serbian national team. He didn’t make the cut for the 2024 Paris Olympics, but he made the most of the chance to work with coach Svetislav Pešić and guys like Milutinov, Nikola Jokić, Bogdan Bogdanović, and Vasilije Micić.
“I was with the national team for a month and a half, and that helped me a lot—spending time with players like Jokić, Bogdanović, Micić, and Milutinov. I got to understand how they work and how they play. Time with Pešić was also great; he’s a great coach.”
The new Partizan forward had a chance to meet and face Jokić during his NBA years, but this summer he had the chance to work alongside the Denver Nuggets‘ star.
“I knew he was a great guy—so relaxed, you wouldn’t think he’s a three-time MVP, and that’s what’s great about him. You’re always comfortable around him.”
Speaking about Jokić was a great segue to recalling his NBA days.
“I’m grateful and happy. I got to grow as a player and as a person, being in the best league in the world. Last year especially helped me, even though I didn’t play a lot. I learned a lot about working out and getting mentally ready, more than anything.”
Despite everything, he wouldn’t change anything from his four years in the United States.
“Everything happens for a reason. There were some things, like injuries, that happened at really bad times. If they had happened earlier, my future might have been a lot different, but I’m here for a reason, and I’m happy with it. This was the best decision I could make, and I wouldn’t change anything.”
It’s not hard to guess which player impressed him the most during his three and a half years with OKC.
“Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, obviously. Not just the way he plays, but his work ethic. Even though he plays 40 minutes, he’s still the first in the gym, working on his moves. That helps young guys understand what it takes.”
Touching on the players who helped him the most, he mentioned new NBA champion with the Boston Celtics, Al Horford.
“We had a young team, so I didn’t have someone constantly pointing out what to do and helping me. I had Al Horford in my first year, and he was a great vet, but I didn’t have someone for three years to help me with things. But the whole organization was a huge part of my growth.”
Midway through his last NBA season, Pokuševski parted ways with Oklahoma, and later joined the Charlotte Hornets. He continued playing with Vasilije Micić, who also left OKC to join the Hornets around the same time.
“Vasa helped me a lot. I had some injuries, didn’t play much, and he helped me mentally to understand what it takes—that things will happen, so do what you can and be ready to get better. My time in Charlotte with Vasa and Bertans was great; they are both great players and personalities.”
He doesn’t exclude returning to the NBA in the future.
“Every player wants to play in the NBA. Sure, I’m thinking about it, but the main reason I came here is to get better, play for Partizan, and try to win. If a good opportunity comes from the NBA, why not?”
During his stay in the States, the Serbian forward also spent some time in the G League. That’s why he was the perfect person to comment on a dispute that Juan Toscano-Anderson recently sparked, saying that the G League is the second-best league in the world.
“Everybody has their own opinion. I think he’s a guy who has that kind of opinion, but I don’t think it’s the right one. He hasn’t played in the EuroLeague, and even when he was in Spain, he hasn’t experienced it enough to talk about it. Everybody is going to say something that may not be right. He might understand it someday, maybe not, but I think the EuroLeague is the second-best league in the world.”
Coming back to Europe, he’s going to need certain adjustments. First and foremost, he notices the difference in physicality.
“Being at the right physical level for the whole game and the whole season is hard, especially in Europe. I’ve got to get used to that,” Aleksej Pokuševski concluded, talking to Eurohoops.