{"id":337804,"date":"2025-12-09T19:45:17","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T19:45:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/337804\/"},"modified":"2025-12-09T19:45:17","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T19:45:17","slug":"aleksa-avramovic-defense-wins-championships-for-sure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/337804\/","title":{"rendered":"Aleksa Avramovic: Defense wins championships – for sure!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Aleksa Avramovic, currently playing for Dubai, spoke exclusively to Basketball Sphere<\/a> about current topics \u2014 and a few interesting personal stories as well.<\/p>\n

After three years with Partizan, where he significantly elevated his game and established himself as one of the best defensive guards at his position \u2014 while also showing the ability to score in volume when needed \u2014 he moved to CSKA, spending one season in the VTB League, before signing with the EuroLeague newcomer Dubai. It is his new basketball home, and due to the current circumstances \u2014 including a large number of injuries \u2014 the adaptation process is still ongoing:<\/p>\n

\"MB<\/a>
\n \"MB<\/a>
\n \"MB<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIn general, it is the organization\u2019s first season in the EuroLeague, so we are going through a period of adaptation. We have been incomplete for a long time. It\u2019s not an excuse, but we are constantly without two or three players. We are missing Dzanan Musa and Dwayne Bacon, Nate Mason is out, Mam Jaiteh, Boogie Ellis. <\/p>\n

Klemen Prepelic missed some games due to a back injury, but considering everything \u2014 we are playing great. I am thrilled with the organization, the team, the coach, my teammates, and the city. Dubai is truly a global city \u2014 a new capital of the Far East \u2014 a blend of East and West. A really beautiful story.\u201d \u2014 said Aleksa Avramovic.<\/p>\n

\"Ilona<\/p>\n

Twenty years ago, CSKA was known as the only European club operating like an NBA franchise \u2014 from private jets to elite conditions. Over time, more top European clubs invested heavily to provide better resources, but now Dubai has raised the standard even further \u2014 especially in logistics and player comfort. How do you see all that?<\/p>\n

\u201cIdentical level \u2014 absolutely. In my opinion, it doesn\u2019t get better than this. Not just the facilities \u2014 the entire picture. Basketball players today are so spoiled, we have nothing to complain about. <\/p>\n

I remember some difficult times earlier in my career \u2014 for example in FIBA Europe Cup, when you fly to Cyprus or the Netherlands \u2014 you spend the whole day traveling, changing planes twice, just to finally get there. Here you board the plane, arrive one hour before departure, everything is made easier for us. Flights from Dubai \u2014 except Athens \u2014 are usually 5\u20136 hours, everything is adjusted to help us. The level is incredibly high.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Nenad<\/p>\n

Before this season, we spoke with Bojan Ljubojevic, a brilliant mind known for developing young players.<\/a> He mentioned that you were always driven by internal motivation \u2014 a rare trait at an early age. That if everything aligns properly \u2014 bigger clubs, bigger challenges, and better contracts eventually follow. Have you ever thought about giving up?<\/p>\n

\u201cGiving up basketball?! Never! Bojan Ljubojevic was the turning point in my relationship with basketball. He showed me some things \u2014 my strengths \u2014 but also many flaws in my game. He made me believe that with hard work, everything could become a strength. <\/p>\n

We worked together until a few summers ago \u2014 then I became a national team player, and with long seasons there was no time \u2014 only a few days with family before training camp. Throughout my career, I also worked with other coaches from Cacak, especially Nenad Strugarevic and Aleksandar Matovic. But Bojan was the main one \u2014 guiding me along the way. No doubt, he is one of the best individual skills coaches out there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many say that with the increase of American players in the EuroLeague, offense has become the emphasis. But you are someone who believes everything starts with defense. How do you see that situation?<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t agree. Defense wins championships \u2013 for sure! It might sound like a clich\u00e9, but I truly believe it. When I look at our national team successes \u2014 like the comeback vs. Australia. Canada had a stronger roster on paper at the World Cup, but we destroyed them defensively. Same with Lithuania, Svetislav Pesic pushed us defensively like crazy.<\/p>\n

The season when we were close to the EuroLeague Final Four with Partizan, we were crushing teams defensively \u2014 and offensively we had a lot of talent. Mathias Lessort was easily the best defender in the EuroLeague that year. And we had other elite defenders like Alen Smailagic, Ioannis Papapetrou, Dante Exum, Yam Madar \u2014 an unbelievable defensive team.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Bogdan<\/p>\n

Throughout your career you have played with fantastic centers: Mathias Lessort, now Mfiondu Kabengele and Filip Petrusev in Dubai, plus Nikola Jokic and Nikola Milutinov with the Serbian national team. How does it feel playing with such players?<\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly \u2014 it\u2019s much easier with great players. But the easiest is playing with Jokic. He doesn\u2019t even need to screen \u2014 you give him the ball and he sees everything. Mathias is an unbelievable center \u2014 a truly modern big man. Defense, offense, rebounding \u2014 no overthinking \u2014 he knows what he is great at and dominates that area. When players execute exactly what the coach asks of them \u2014 that\u2019s the best thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Bo<\/p>\n

Earlier this season, Kosta Kondic, McKinley Wright<\/a>, and Klemen Prepelic<\/a> told us that your team has a strong competitive fire \u2014 especially in practices \u2014 thanks to Jurica Golemac. How do you experience that?<\/p>\n

\u201cWe work great in Dubai, intense as much as the schedule allows. Long travels are tough for every EuroLeague team \u2014 but that\u2019s not an excuse. We always try to get the maximum out of every session. We have huge motivation \u2014 and great teammates and coaches \u2014 so nothing is a problem. I never run away from challenges \u2014 I\u2019ve played against the greatest team of all time at the Olympics. I always want to win, I give my maximum, and I have never feared anything in life \u2014 only God.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"EuroLeague<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s mention a few people who work tirelessly behind the scenes, receiving little recognition. Aleksandar Matovic is one of them \u2014 along with Bogdan Karaicic. What would you say about them?<\/p>\n

\u201cFully agree \u2014 they don\u2019t get enough credit. Aleksandar Matovic is the ultimate soldier of Partizan. Humble, knowledgeable, quiet \u2014 but knows so much. A wonderful family man and a great friend. He worked with many players \u2014 especially bigs. We guards worked more with Bogdan Karaicic \u2014 another coach behind the scenes. The two of them were there all day, every day. That\u2019s why Zeljko Obradovic said he had the best coaching staff of his career. Matovic and Karaicic are fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n

Club basketball is one thing \u2014 national team games are something else entirely. How important has the national team been for you personally and professionally?<\/p>\n

\u201cIt means everything. Two months together \u2014 preparations, tournaments \u2014 it becomes a ten-year bond. Nothing compares to playing for your country. No basketball team in the world compares to that feeling. No NBA \u2014 no league \u2014 can match playing for Serbia.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Dimitris<\/p>\n

Recently many young prospects from Serbia and Europe are going to the NCAA, where they can already sign major deals. How do you see that trend?<\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly \u2014 I am very happy for them. They secure themselves and their families \u2014 plus they get an education. Compared to what we went through \u2014 we bled to get here. They have an easier path in that sense, and I support them. European clubs must provide a better development environment if they want to keep young talent. The pressure to win makes that tough. <\/p>\n

Only a few clubs are willing to endure mistakes \u2014 Mega is by far the best in Europe at that. Look at the names \u2014 Nikola Jokic, Ivica Zubac, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot \u2014 all came through Mega. Constant talent development, always competitive. Rare talents like Jokic, Luka Doncic, Marko Guduric \u2014 they must play early because they\u2019re special. If I were a coach \u2014 I would never hesitate to give a young player the chance if he shows discipline, work ethic, and professionalism. That sacrifice is difficult but the big picture matters. When you see a real kid \u2014 I would give him a chance and send him into the universe.\u201d<\/p>\n

What would be your message to young players fighting for their place under the lights?<\/p>\n

\u201cFollow your own path. Follow your dreams. When it gets tough \u2014 do not quit. Quitting is the road to failure. Be ruthless in your work \u2014 more ruthless than your competition \u2014 because that is the only way to succeed.\u201d \u2014 concluded Aleksa Avramovic\u00a0to Basketball Sphere.<\/p>\n

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