Alex Renfroe, the former Partizan player, took the time to speak to Basketball Sphere about the strong bond between the Black-and-Whites and Fuenlabrada.
Yesterday, the long-standing friendship between the two clubs reached a new level, as the Spanish team changed its name to Partizan de Fuenlabrada, while the two sides will face each other today as part of the Open Air Tournament.
This unbreakable connection dates back to the 1991/92 season, when Partizan were not allowed to play in Belgrade. As a result, the Black-and-Whites played their home games at the “Fernando Martín” arena, which soon became their second home.
That season, the Belgrade club went on to become European champions, while the people of Fuenlabrada fell in love with Partizan “to the core” — and this gesture from the Spanish side is a true testament to that bond.
Alex Renfroe is one of the few players who had the opportunity to represent both clubs, and he admits that he was not fully aware of just how strong their connection was when he arrived in the Madrid suburb last year.
“I didn’t know the full history behind that connection, but I knew about it. I had played against Fuenlabrada so many times over the years and seen the banner hanging in the stands, so I was always aware of it. However, I didn’t know the details until I actually came to Fuenlabrada and heard some of the stories behind it.
And once you start hearing those stories, it’s easy to start putting the pieces together and realize that you actually knew much more about it than you thought. Players who were on that team, and with whom you also have some kind of connection. It’s truly a little unbelievable how small the basketball world is once you start connecting all those dots.” — the European basketball veteran began.
He told our portal what he thinks about the Spanish club’s decision to engrave the word “Partizan” into its new name.
“I always think it’s great when clubs or people pay tribute to those who came before them or those they shared a certain period with. It’s a really nice gesture, to rebuild that bridge or make sure that it continues to exist.
Being part of both clubs is a blessing! There aren’t many people who have been part of both, so I’m part of a pretty exclusive club. It’s truly special, especially when you organize an event like this to pay tribute to the past.”
He then looked back on his time in the Black-and-White jersey, which he wore during the 2018/19 season, and recalls his time in Belgrade with great fondness.
“Belgrade is one of my family’s greatest memories, and it always will be. During my 17-year career, I’ve been to many different places, but my time in Belgrade was without a doubt one of the top three experiences.
We absolutely loved it! First and foremost, the atmosphere at the games was something very few people get the chance to experience. It’s not something you can explain — you simply have to experience it. Across all of Europe, there are maybe only five places where you can experience something like that.”
He continued speaking enthusiastically about his brief stint with Partizan.
“The way my family was welcomed at the games… The fans truly embraced both me and my family, and we felt genuine love. Not because you were good or bad, but because you were one of them and you were going through everything together.
The city was incredible. The restaurants, the cinemas, everything was family-friendly. There was so much for the kids to do. The Renfroe family will always remember Belgrade as an incredible place to spend time.”
“Being part of such a historic club as Partizan is something you never forget”
During the 2018/19 season, Alex Renfroe averaged 8.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game, and was also named the MVP of the KLS Finals against Crvena Zvezda.
The Red-and-Whites defeated Partizan in the fourth game to defend their Serbian championship title, but the Black-and-Whites had their moment in another competition. In the Radivoj Korac Cup Final, Renfroe led his team to the trophy with 18 points in a 76–74 victory, and he tells Basketball Sphere that he will always be grateful to Partizan.
“Being part of such a historic club as Partizan is something you never forget. I mean, I can go on my social media right now and the biggest number of reactions I’ll get will come from Partizan fans. And I haven’t been there since 2019.
That makes you feel that, no matter where you go or who you play for, you remain a part of it forever. And that’s something special about Partizan. That’s why I’m grateful to them – from the bottom of my heart.”
Throughout his long career, he has played for numerous European giants such as Zenit, Barcelona, San Pablo Burgos, Galatasaray, Bayern and Alba. He is currently nearing retirement and has devoted much more of his time to his family. Because of that, the American has found it increasingly difficult to keep up with Partizan’s games.
“I still follow what’s going on, but nowhere near as much as I used to. As my basketball career started coming to an end, I devoted more and more time to my family and the things they needed. So I can honestly say that I don’t have nearly as much free time as I used to. But they will always have my love!
I don’t stay in regular contact with many people. Still, I reach out whenever someone comes to mind or when our paths cross. My relationships with people are still the same, even if we don’t talk that often. That’s something that doesn’t change for me.”
The veteran then revealed to our portal who his favorite teammate from the Black-and-White camp was — and exactly why.
“I hate giving political answers because they suck! But I really enjoyed playing with a lot of those guys. They were people I was always happy to run into even after the year we spent together. The jokes never stopped!
But if I really have to pick one, I’d say Novica! He’s a legend! He was an older player, just like me, so we had more in common. Family, kids, a similar outlook on life and a similar perspective. He showed us around the city, took us to good restaurants and, whatever we needed, he made sure we had it.
I saw him a few years ago when he was honored during a Real Madrid game. It had been years since we had last spoken, but we talked as if we had spoken just yesterday. It really makes me happy when I see all my former teammates who left there and went on to do so many more incredible things.”
At the end of the interview, he shared an interesting funny story from the time he joined Partizan.
“I still remember coming from Manresa and having red Kyrie shoes. Maaaaannnn, everybody was killing me about it because I hadn’t had a chance to get any other shoes. So I just spray-painted them black until my black shoes arrived in the mail. Those were fun times! And the nickname ‘Brko’ they gave me — I absolutely love it!” – Renfroe concluded in his interview with Basketball Sphere.
