A former Hornets player has agreed to play abroad.
A former Hornets player has agreed to play abroad.
After four years of NBA participation for several different teams, Aleksej Pokusevski is moving abroad, at least temporarily.
Pokusevski, who spent the season with both the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Charlotte Hornets, is reportedly in the process of inking a contract with Partizan of the EuroLeague in Serbia.
Is he going to stay in Serbia or will he eventually return to the NBA?
In 2023–24, Pokusevski played for both Oklahoma City and Charlotte, averaging 7.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while playing for the Hornets.
In the first round of the 2020 NBA draft, the Thunder selected him, seeing him as a potential backup big man.
However, the Thunder kept adding players to their roster, deepening it and reducing Pokusevski’s room.
He moved to the Hornets a few months ago for that reason, but he was unable to secure a consistent spot in that team’s rotation.
Pokusevski will get the opportunity to see friends and family in Serbia as he was born there.
It might also be quite beneficial to his job.
Serbia has demonstrated that they are among the world’s most remarkable basketball nations.
They performed admirably at the Olympics, taking home the bronze medal and coming dangerously close to beating Team USA in a pivotal match.
Pokusevski might be on Serbia’s national team when the Olympics return in four years if he stays in Serbia.
Of course, he might return to the NBA in the upcoming years.
Even at barely 22 years old, he clearly possesses considerable length and skill.
Although he might feel more at ease in his native nation, several NBA teams might be interested in bringing him back to the States.