By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
After injuries to Nikola Topic and Nemanja Nedovic, Crvena Zvezda signed US guard Javonte Smart. The 24-year-old had his first practice with his new teammates in Belgrade and expressed his readiness to contribute to the team’s success.
Crvena Zvezda marks Smart’s first international team outside the US, where he previously played in the NBA for the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, and Philadelphia 76ers, primarily spending time in the G League.
“I’m ready to play hard, ready to win, and looking forward to winning. That’s the main thing, with my scoring abilities and making plays for all my teammates. I like to make plays for myself and my teammates. Also, I like to play in transition,” said Smart in his first statement as a Crvena Zvezda player.
Adapting to the physicality of defense in European basketball will be a key adjustment for Smart.
“It’s definitely different. I see that defense is very physical, but I’m a physical guy. I’m gonna take on that approach and go after it.”
Regarding his decision to move overseas for the first time, Smart mentioned, “The idea came three or four days ago. I decided within two days. I had to talk to my family, make some strong decisions, and I came ready to play for Red Star,” Smart said upon arriving in Belgrade.