Aleksej Pokusevski, selected 17th overall in the 2020 NBA draft, spent four seasons in the league with Oklahoma City and Charlotte before joining Partizan Mozzart Bet.
Speaking with Eurohoops, the 23-year-old Serbian big man reflected on his NBA experience and the importance of timing when trying to find success.
“I knew my age and where I was going. For sure, there is pressure, especially from myself, to do what I want, which I did. I am very satisfied with my time there,” Pokusevski said.
“And some things happened, some injuries and other stuff that did not help much, but I am very grateful for my time there.”
Discussing former EuroLeague MVPs Vasilije Micic and Sasha Vezenkov, he emphasized how situational the NBA can be.
“In the United States, it’s about timing,” he said. “I believe both Micic and Vezenkov understood this as well. Over there, regardless of who you are, I believe the team and timing are the most important. If you get hurt or stay healthy, which players are playing.”
He noted that Micic “could not find any space” due to deep rosters in Oklahoma City and Charlotte, while Vezenkov “was really good whenever he played, but he could not find his path.”
Pokusevski added that he and Micic remain close.
“We talk a lot. He has helped me a lot by talking to me, advising with his experience on how to work, how to think, how to handle people around me.”
The Thunder went on to win the NBA title last season, one year after trading Pokusevski.
“I am very happy for the guys winning the championship, because I know them personally,” he said. “Those years were nice. I am still in contact with them.”
He also touched on the business side of basketball, saying, “Everything around the game, similar to here, it’s not that I don’t like them, but they are not close to my character. They are part of the job.”
He acknowledged he “could have handled some things differently,” but considers the whole experience part of his growth.
Returning to Europe, he said, has allowed him to keep learning under Zeljko Obradovic.
“If I ever return to the States or stay in Europe, we will see how it goes.”
So far in the 2025–26 EuroLeague season, Pokusevski is averaging 4.6 points and 2.1 rebounds in nine appearances.
Aleksej Pokusevski shares about his NBA experience in an interview with Eurohoops’ George Adamopoulos
🗣️ “It’s about timing. I believe both Micic and Vezenkov understood this as well”https://t.co/FzjTZ5Jwzl
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) November 25, 2025
