NBA prospect Filip Petrusev has returned to Europe to continue his basketball career.
The 6 foot 11 forward from Serbia has signed a three-year deal with Olympiacos, the Greek team confirmed on Tuesday.
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Serbian forward Filip Petrusev has signed a three-year deal with OlympiacosCredit: Getty
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Petrusev was part of the blockbuster James Harden trade, which saw him move to the Los Angeles Clippers and then the Sacramento Kings this seasonCredit: Getty
Petrusev, 23, made his NBA debut in the 2023-24 season, two years after the Philadelphia 76ers selected at No. 50 in the 2021 draft.
The talented big man remained in Europe for another two seasons, playing for Anadolu Efes and Crvena Zvezda.
With the former, he won the EuroLeague in 2022.
Petrusev’s big break appeared to be on the horizon when he signed a two-year contract with the Sixers in the 2023 offseason.
The deal came after he won silver with Serbia at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
The forward managed to make his first NBA appearence on October 29, clocking three minutes in the 126-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
But three days later, Philadelphia sent Petrusev and PJ Tucker to the Los Angeles Clippers in the blockbuster James Harden deal.
Soon after, the Clippers traded the Serbian to the Sacramento Kings.
He made a couple of short cameos for the Kings, registering his first bucket in the NBA during the 129-93 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on November 20.
Later that week, Sacramento waived Petrusev, opening the door for him to move back to Europe.
“I felt it would be better to play in Europe,” the forward said of his deal with Olympiacos, per Eurohoops.
“I saw some things in the NBA that I didn’t expect. I am a young player, and I want to compete and help my team.”
Petrusev said former Kings teammate Sasha Vezenkov — who reached the 2023 EuroLeague final with Olympiacos and claimed the tournament’s MVP award — convinced him to sign with the Greek team.
The Serbian added he will try to come back to the NBA in the future.
“I didn’t give up on the NBA dream because it didn’t go well this year,” Petrusev said.
“I’m young, there’s time for everything. I might come back in 2-3 years.
“If I want to return to the NBA, I can go anywhere and not just to the Sixers, where it was my only choice.”
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