Aleksa Avramovic, currently playing for Dubai, spoke exclusively to Basketball Sphere about current topics — and a few interesting personal stories as well.
After three years with Partizan, where he significantly elevated his game and established himself as one of the best defensive guards at his position — while also showing the ability to score in volume when needed — 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 — including a large number of injuries — the adaptation process is still ongoing:
“In general, it is the organization’s first season in the EuroLeague, so we are going through a period of adaptation. We have been incomplete for a long time. It’s 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.
Klemen Prepelic missed some games due to a back injury, but considering everything — 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 — a new capital of the Far East — a blend of East and West. A really beautiful story.” — said Aleksa Avramovic.
Twenty years ago, CSKA was known as the only European club operating like an NBA franchise — 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 — especially in logistics and player comfort. How do you see all that?
“Identical level — absolutely. In my opinion, it doesn’t get better than this. Not just the facilities — the entire picture. Basketball players today are so spoiled, we have nothing to complain about.
I remember some difficult times earlier in my career — for example in FIBA Europe Cup, when you fly to Cyprus or the Netherlands — 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 — except Athens — are usually 5–6 hours, everything is adjusted to help us. The level is incredibly high.”
Before this season, we spoke with Bojan Ljubojevic, a brilliant mind known for developing young players. He mentioned that you were always driven by internal motivation — a rare trait at an early age. That if everything aligns properly — bigger clubs, bigger challenges, and better contracts eventually follow. Have you ever thought about giving up?
“Giving up basketball?! Never! Bojan Ljubojevic was the turning point in my relationship with basketball. He showed me some things — my strengths — but also many flaws in my game. He made me believe that with hard work, everything could become a strength.
We worked together until a few summers ago — then I became a national team player, and with long seasons there was no time — 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 — guiding me along the way. No doubt, he is one of the best individual skills coaches out there.”
Claim Now 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?
“I don’t agree. Defense wins championships – for sure! It might sound like a cliché, but I truly believe it. When I look at our national team successes — 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.
The season when we were close to the EuroLeague Final Four with Partizan, we were crushing teams defensively — 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 — an unbelievable defensive team.”
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?
“Honestly — it’s much easier with great players. But the easiest is playing with Jokic. He doesn’t even need to screen — you give him the ball and he sees everything. Mathias is an unbelievable center — a truly modern big man. Defense, offense, rebounding — no overthinking — he knows what he is great at and dominates that area. When players execute exactly what the coach asks of them — that’s the best thing.”
Earlier this season, Kosta Kondic, McKinley Wright, and Klemen Prepelic told us that your team has a strong competitive fire — especially in practices — thanks to Jurica Golemac. How do you experience that?
“We work great in Dubai, intense as much as the schedule allows. Long travels are tough for every EuroLeague team — but that’s not an excuse. We always try to get the maximum out of every session. We have huge motivation — and great teammates and coaches — so nothing is a problem. I never run away from challenges — I’ve 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 — only God.”
Let’s mention a few people who work tirelessly behind the scenes, receiving little recognition. Aleksandar Matovic is one of them — along with Bogdan Karaicic. What would you say about them?
“Fully agree — they don’t get enough credit. Aleksandar Matovic is the ultimate soldier of Partizan. Humble, knowledgeable, quiet — but knows so much. A wonderful family man and a great friend. He worked with many players — especially bigs. We guards worked more with Bogdan Karaicic — another coach behind the scenes. The two of them were there all day, every day. That’s why Zeljko Obradovic said he had the best coaching staff of his career. Matovic and Karaicic are fantastic.”
Club basketball is one thing — national team games are something else entirely. How important has the national team been for you personally and professionally?
“It means everything. Two months together — preparations, tournaments — 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 — no league — can match playing for Serbia.”
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?
“Honestly — I am very happy for them. They secure themselves and their families — plus they get an education. Compared to what we went through — 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.
Only a few clubs are willing to endure mistakes — Mega is by far the best in Europe at that. Look at the names — Nikola Jokic, Ivica Zubac, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot — all came through Mega. Constant talent development, always competitive. Rare talents like Jokic, Luka Doncic, Marko Guduric — they must play early because they’re special. If I were a coach — 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 — I would give him a chance and send him into the universe.”
What would be your message to young players fighting for their place under the lights?
“Follow your own path. Follow your dreams. When it gets tough — do not quit. Quitting is the road to failure. Be ruthless in your work — more ruthless than your competition — because that is the only way to succeed.” — concluded Aleksa Avramovic to Basketball Sphere.
