By Eurohoops Team / info@eurohoops.net
Partizan had a great 2022-23 season, coming close to the EuroLeague Final Four and winning the ABA League title after a decade. However, this success has only increased the club’s appetite for more, as they aim to build a team capable of achieving even better results.
The Black and Whites have already made several moves, signing Mateusz Ponitka, welcoming Ognjen Jaramaz back to the team, and securing NBA signings P.J. Dozier and Frank Kaminsky. Yet, according to club President Ostoja Mijailovic, they are not finished.
“We have two positions left, and we’re working smart and hard. We are determined to have a stronger team than last year. There’s no need to worry. What matters most is that we stay healthy; the rest is up to us,” Mijailovic stated to Mozzart Sport.
The team has also managed to retain most of its key players from the previous season, extending contracts to Kevin Punter, Zach LeDay, James Nunnally, Aleksa Avramovic, and Balsa Koprivica. Additionally, Tristan Vukcevic is expected to remain with the team for another year. Notably, the retention of Punter was a significant accomplishment, as he was on the brink of joining Barcelona.
“Kevin is a fantastic individual, and all of us wished for him to continue with the club. When Zoran Savić informed me that a deal was almost finalized for Kevin to move to Barcelona, I requested that he and the agents delay the decision by a couple of hours. They complied, and during that time, I inquired about the obstacles and factors that could sway the situation in our favor. Zoran relayed the terms to me, and in response, the club acted swiftly, resulting in Kevin’s continued presence at Partizan. I take pride in our success in retaining such a player. I fully understand his significance to the club and the fans.”
Nevertheless, a notable signing slipped through their grasp, as Nikola Mirotic came close to joining Partizan but ultimately chose to continue his career with Olimpia Milano.
“If Mirotic was meant to join Partizan, he would have done so. However, since he opted for a different path, we wish him luck in his choice. Each of us charts our own course. While I never had the chance to be a professional athlete, let’s say I had been one; there are two experiences I would never forgo. Representing my national team and playing for Partizan in front of the world’s best fans.”
Mijailovic confirmed a significantly larger budget for the upcoming season, underlining the heightened ambitions for Partizan.
“We all aspired to a stronger team for the forthcoming season, and our budget will be 20 percent larger compared to the previous season. It’s understandable that these signings will entail a somewhat higher cost. The club must find ways to generate revenue. Presently, we have over 20,000 individuals registered on our website for purchasing season tickets. Regrettably, we won’t have a sufficient allocation for everyone. This is a matter of regret for me,” Ostoja Mijailovic concluded.