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Aleksej Pokusevski was even more revealing talking about the overall approach to European players in the league. “That they can play basketball and are very good at it,” he replied to a question about what Americans have collected from European imports, “And some people there do not like that, from the Americans. That is why there is competitiveness between the players, which is very good.”
Pokusevski, 23, went from a promising prospect making plenty of noise to being waived by the Oklahoma City Thunder last February and then by the Charlotte Hornets at the end of the 2023-24 season. “Every year, many teams in the NBA do not try to win but want to develop players,” he mentioned, “This happened to me as well. It was going well. However, I got injured on some occasions, at the wrong time, I can say. The team also told me this. I could have stayed but it was not what I wanted at this stage of my career. I did not want to stay in the United States just to be there, without being able to play and learn, and have a significant role.”
Fellow Serbian, Vasilije Micic was among his teammates last season, an experienced player with plenty of success in Europe, including two Turkish Airlines EuroLeague championships and multiple MVP nods, but a rookie in the NBA. “It was weird at first because he was asking me what to expect. Of course, I learned a lot from him about basketball and life,” mentioned Pokusevski, “He helped me very much with how to work out. He supported me when I was suddenly not playing much, telling me to keep going and everything will work out.”
Partizan Mozzart Bet is set to announce a deal to add Aleksej Pokusevski to the 2024-25 roster. Following up on recent rumors, the Serbian forward reached an agreement with the Belgrade outfit, according to Sportklub. Pokusevski, 22, spent the last four years in North America, splitting action between the NBA and the G League. Logging 168 NBA appearances between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Charlotte Hornets, his efforts amounted to career averages of 7.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 0.6 steals per contest.
However, the situations appear to be different, according to Mozzart Sport's Bojan Brezovac . According to the report, Pokusevski still sees himself in the NBA and is waiting for an offer from a franchise. So far, he hasn't received the offer he wants, but he is still willing to wait. If no offer from the NBA arrives, there is a possibility for him to return to Europe.
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Rumors had Aleksej Pokusevski on the verge of moving to Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade after being waved by the Charlotte Hornets. However, the situations appear to be different, according to Mozzart Sport's Bojan Brezovac. According to the report, Pokusevski still sees himself in the NBA and is waiting for an offer from a franchise. So far, he hasn't received the offer he wants, but he is still willing to wait. If no offer from the NBA arrives, there is a possibility for him to return to Europe.
Christos Tsaltas: Aleksej Pokusevski is close to sign a deal with Partizan Belgrade for the upcoming season. The deal is at the final stage. Poku is expected to return in Serbia, playing under Zeljko Obradovic. There was mutual desire between Poku and Partizan for the deal. #KKPartizan @SportalgrG
Shams Charania: The Charlotte Hornets are waiving former OKC first round pick Aleksej Pokusevski, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
Steve Clifford, the Charlotte Hornets‘ former head coach and now front-office advisor, wishes he could have guard Vasilije Micic and big man Aleksej Pokusevski on the team much earlier than when the team acquired them in February. “My only regret is that I didn’t bring them earlier,” Clifford said per Mozzart during his visit at the Dusan Ivkovic clinic in Belgrade, Serbia. It would be even better if they were with us for the whole season, two great guys who fit into the team.”
“It wasn’t easy for him, but the very fact that he endured not playing, that he remained positive and hard-working, that’s what I liked most about him. A great guy,” Clifford commented. On a team with a crowded backcourt, Micic had 3.3 points and 2.5 assists in 12.0 minutes with the Thunder, playing in 30 out of the team’s 51 games before he got traded. Pokusevski followed the same route later in February and ended up posting 7.4 points and 4.4 rebounds in 18 games. ” I have to say that I am very happy for him because he showed that he can play,” Clifford mentioned on Pokusevski. “He made a step forward and that is the most important thing at this moment. It is important now to make continuity”.
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Ending the season earlier than expected after being eliminated in the NBA Playoffs, Nikola Jokic will come back soon to prepare for the Olympic Games in Paris with the Serbian national team. The Denver Nuggets‘ superstar was indeed included into Svetislav Pesic’s 16-man preliminary list ahead of the biggest appointment of the summer, where Serbia got qualified after earning the silver medal in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, losing to Germany in the final. Bogdan Bogdanovic, Vasilije Micic, Nikola Jovic, Aleksej Pokusevski, Nikola Milutinov, and other superstars are included into the Serbian national team’s Olympic extended roster. Four players will be cut before the start of the competition.
James Plowright: Clifford on Pokusevski "He hasn't been playing... At all. He will be with us tonight and then go to Greensboro tomorrow for a while."
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