Former 2020 first-round pick Aleksej Pokusevski recently spoke to reporters about his NBA journey, offering rare insight nearly two seasons after his last appearance in the league.
Pokusevski, selected No. 17 overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder, spent three and a half seasons with the franchise before finishing his NBA stint with 18 games for the Charlotte Hornets. While his time in the league was brief, the Serbian forward often flashed intriguing potential. In 168 career games, he averaged 7.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists, displaying versatility and shot creation that made him a long-term project for Oklahoma City.
Despite that potential, Pokusevski’s momentum was derailed by injuries. One of the most significant setbacks came in 2022, when he suffered a left leg fracture that sidelined him for multiple months. Reflecting on his NBA experience, he said he remains appreciative of the opportunity.
“I knew my age and where I was going,” Pokusevski said. “For sure, there is pressure, especially from myself, to do what I want, which I did. I am very satisfied with my time there. And some things happened—some injuries and other stuff that did not help much—but I am very grateful for my time there.”
Now playing in Europe, Pokusevski has struggled to regain his rhythm. He is averaging 4.5 points and 2.1 rebounds in 11 minutes per game this season. Even so, he believes timing plays a major role in success for players coming from overseas.
“In the United States, it’s about timing,” he said. “Over there, regardless of who you are, I believe the team and timing are the most important.”
At just 23 years old, Pokusevski still has a long career ahead of him. While he continues to develop in Europe, he has not ruled out a return to the NBA.
“If I ever return to the States or stay in Europe, we will see how it goes,” he said.
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