Danilo Andjusic, Serbian national team player and new member of Aris after a period in Dubai, spoke to Basketball Sphere.
It was clear that he wanted to change the situation he was in and spend much more time on the court, which he achieved by moving to Aris.
His individual performances have been very good, and in just three games since arriving in Greece, he has scored in single digits only once. The team is still actively fighting for a spot in the next stage of the EuroCup, while in the Greek league they are aiming for their primary goal – to finish in the top four after the regular season to secure home-court advantage in the playoffs.
A key part of the conversation was also Partizan, as well as the entire period following the resignation of coach Zeljko Obradovic. The former vice-captain of Partizan expressed support for Vanja Marinkovic, who suffered a serious injury against Hapoel Tel Aviv, and before that had been under public scrutiny due to all the events at the club.
How is the situation currently at Aris, and how satisfied are you with your decision to leave Dubai and come to Greece for the first time in your career?
“It’s good, great! The most important reason I wanted to come and change my environment is to play. So even though I’m in my veteran years, I still have that fire for the game and for all these competitive challenges. It’s great that it came to this. The results are not perfect, but it’s fine. What’s done is done, we fight.”
Regarding your individual performance, it seems like the new environment has really suited you. Team results have had their ups and downs, and this is your first experience in Greece. Taking all that into account, what can you say?
“The most important thing is that I opened a new chapter in my career because I wanted to change the entire situation. I wanted to play. I still feel that I can play at a high level. And yes, as they would say, I can still give a lot to basketball. That’s how I felt. That’s why I was looking for a club and a place where our ambitions would align. And regarding my game, regarding myself, to play and get minutes on the court.
On the other hand, to be able, in a certain way, to help the team play better with the experience and knowledge I have. Everything aligned when I spoke with Aris at that moment with Nikos Zizis, the GM, and then with coach Igor Milicic about my role and the way I could help the team. We found common ground, and honestly, so far I think it was a good decision. Of course, we’ll see how the season unfolds.
I really enjoy being on the court again. I play a lot. I try to play the best I can, which the stats reflect. What’s most important isn’t the numbers as much as the fact that I spend a lot of time on the court, which means a lot to me. I still feel I can give a lot. I wouldn’t want, at this stage of my career, when I want to enjoy basketball, to sit on the sidelines and let these last few years of my career pass by. Especially since I feel good physically.
Since my arrival, in the first couple of weeks, we had really good results. We turned the season around compared to how it started in both the EuroCup and the domestic league. However, after that strong run, which you could say was at the end of November and the beginning of December, a crisis hit again, but I believe we have the talent and potential to play much better than we are showing.”
“I think that’s important too. Amine Noua and I arrived just a month, a month and a half ago. Coach Igor Milicic also came about a month and a half ago. So I believe, like with everything, it takes a little time for everything to find its shape and reach its proper form. We’ll see how it looks and in which direction it goes, but I believe there’s still room to achieve a good result by the end of the season. It won’t be easy, because we still have several EuroCup games ahead, where I think we need to win at least three to make it to the playoffs. It will be very challenging, but I believe it’s achievable.
In the Greek League, we are in a good position now. We’re back in the race for the top four spots, which give home-court advantage in the playoffs. That’s definitely our goal. There’s still a lot of room to achieve a good result and turn the season in our favor. Regarding the Greek League, it’s my first time playing in it. Another country on my CV, a new country. The basketball style is different here because it’s played much slower. Much slower compared to what I’ve played before. And much tougher.
I have a habit of joking with them here, calling it the ‘butcher league.’ There’s a lot of contact allowed, the game is slower. They don’t call fouls so easily. It’s very physical, really physical. So those are some of the main differences compared to everything I’ve played before. The beginning was a bit strange for me because it’s different in that sense, but now I’ve already adapted and it’s much easier.”
Claim Now You have worn the Partizan jersey multiple times in your career. You had a short stint with Virtus. You played in the VTB League, you were in Monaco, in Dubai, but still, considering the renown and names of the clubs, with all due respect, Partizan comes first. Can you draw a parallel with the stature of Aris in Greece? People don’t really realize how big a name and brand it actually is in Greece.
“Yes, I think people in this region aren’t fully aware, especially in the last few years, because they haven’t had strong results in basketball or football, so they don’t really understand the size of the club. Honestly, I didn’t even realize it myself until I came here. I noticed it immediately when I arrived. Literally, when I got here and signed, people in the city were greeting me, saying hello, asking questions, and so on, which has never happened to me anywhere else in my career, except at Partizan when I was in Belgrade.
There is huge excitement around Aris in the city. Everyone knows you. Everyone knows when you play badly or well. You can really feel the club’s history, even though in the last 10–15 years they haven’t had particularly notable results in general competitions. The legacy from the time of Nikos Galis and when they won the former EuroLeague remains. For many, Nikos Galis is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Even though a lot of time has passed, that energy is still alive, people follow the sport. We really have a lot of people at the games, the fan support is huge. The atmosphere is as intense as we had.
They have a real passion for basketball. When the team plays poorly, people get upset and show it, which I haven’t seen anywhere else except in Belgrade. You could say they are passionate about basketball. In general, about sports. You really feel that in the city. For me, that’s one of the reasons I came here. I was missing that alongside Partizan. To feel the importance of every game, that people follow, cheer, and talk about it. Somehow, these are the beautiful things that can happen to me.” – said Danilo Andjusic.
While you were playing for Partizan, many believe that a big part of your motivation came from your special connection to the club, of which you are also a passionate supporter. How do you view that whole story and your experience wearing the jersey of the team where you made a major step forward, and to which you returned several times?
“Honestly, I wouldn’t agree with that assessment, because in my case, that wasn’t an obstacle. Those things were just additional motivation for me, to give even more on the court, to play better. Especially in that last stint, when I had a role and minutes, I showed that just like I did in other clubs. Whenever I didn’t have that role, my role was different, and certain things couldn’t come to the surface.
People often look at it from that perspective, but in big teams there are roles. And the coach is the one who decides. I think I would have shown even more if I had a bigger role or more minutes, but I was part of it all, and whenever I got the opportunity, I showed what I could do. That shows how mentally strong I was. That’s why I don’t consider it to have been an obstacle for me.
There were periods when I didn’t play for two or three games, and then in the most important match I got the chance. Zeljko let me play, and I scored 20 points, which I had done before, even though I hadn’t played before that, with some of my own games, and in that whole situation and with that status, it shows how mentally strong I was, that I didn’t break down, and that’s why I don’t think it was an obstacle for me. Of course, everyone has bad games and good games, but overall, for the role I had and what I could give, I think I was satisfied.”
When we talk about coaches, now you have coach Igor Milicic, another person who seems to fly under the radar. How is it for you to work with him currently?
“I don’t know how many people know, but I’ve already worked with Igor in Poland. That was 10 years ago, I was working with him back then, so we’ve known each other for quite a long time. I agree that his work flies under the radar, even though he has achieved some big results. With Napoli, he won the Italian Cup, he coached Besiktas, and I think he has the potential to be a really good coach. He already is, and he’s showing it, especially recently with the Polish national team.
I know what to expect and what is asked of me, so I would say, again, it’s not unfamiliar to me. It’s on me to adapt to every kind of system, and I try to do that to the fullest. It’s nice to have someone you can talk to in our language. I would say, with all of our great Serbian coaches, from our region, I had the chance to work with them, which I think is a huge experience for me, not only in basketball but in general.”
Earlier, you mentioned that you had never experienced anything like your last stint with Partizan when you were on the verge of the EuroLeague Final Four. You went through a lot, and most of the players from that period are still in daily contact and have become great friends. How do you see the whole situation at Partizan after Zeljko Obradovic’s departure and everything that followed?
“I love Partizan, I follow Partizan, whether I’m there or not, and I cheer for them, and honestly, it’s hard for me. It was hard for me when all that was happening, watching what was going on, imagining if I were there, how I would feel, and so on, it wasn’t pleasant. Especially watching what people write, giving themselves the right to give certain opinions, without knowing even 20% of what is happening inside, behind the scenes, that hit me particularly.
At one point I told myself, and I said, I won’t read social media, Twitter, Instagram, or anything, because it would just be painful, I was reading the same things every day. It was especially hard for me because of Vanja Marinkovic, and I kind of empathize with him. I still can’t say what exactly happened, because I’m not inside the team, and they surely know best what went on among themselves, but again, I think, just what he said, someone who was there when it was the hardest, someone who grew up there, who returned in his best playing years, without any reason to suffer on all sides.
I don’t think it should be like that, and he didn’t deserve it. At the end of the day, I think that everyone who loves Partizan, in the right way, should support Partizan, and cheer for the club, no matter what happened, to cheer for them to win. If you love Partizan, you can’t at any moment wish for the other team to win.
Vanja Marinkovic as captain didn’t deserve such treatment, as he received, and especially, I saw comments from some athletes, giving statements about him on various social media, and I think that is not okay at all, especially because they don’t know what happened, and they’re not inside, like me. I hope this passes quickly and that this period will remain behind them all. All that has been done up to now, over the last few years, I was part of it, and it would make me very sad if it all collapsed now, after so much effort and work everyone put in.
To reach this point, to have a EuroLeague license, to compete with the biggest, and to have a budget like you have, to be able to be equal with other teams, and for all of it to collapse in a matter of months, that would definitely disappoint me. I hope it doesn’t happen, and I hope the fans of Partizan will once again show that they have never been supporters of results. We love the club, no matter what happens, and we will be there for the club.” – Danilo Andjusic did not hold back.
Regarding the Serbian national team, you were part of the first FIBA World Cup qualifying window. The new head coach is Dusan Alimpijevic, and it’s known that you have always answered the call when invited. How do you see the new coach and what lies ahead for the Serbian national team?
“You never know which roster the teams will show up with, it’s always tricky because you come in and have only 2–3 days to prepare for a game. In most windows, the team is different each time, the players aren’t the same, and it’s not easy. People don’t realize how hard it is to put everything together in 2–3 days and play a game. The most important thing is to win—whether in the last seconds or convincingly, in the end that matters less, what counts are the two points, and we know how important that is for the continuation of the competition and for qualifying for the World Cup.
Dusan Alimpijevic is someone who brings new energy and motivation to the team. It was really refreshing to work with him. I didn’t know him from before. We know each other from games, we never worked together in depth, but his approach to the players and to the national team, and how he treats all of us, is really positive and motivates everyone when they see him with the energy and attitude he brings.
I believe he can achieve great results with Besiktas and show what kind of coach he is. I honestly hope he proves that with the national team as well, and I see no reason to worry on that front. Of course, I’ve always been there for the national team. Whenever I could play, I was there, and this time was no different. I have a great relationship with Dule, so if he decides to have me again in the next window, of course, I’ll be there for the national team.
I always emphasize that it is a huge honor and a privilege. Whether it’s a window or an official competition, playing for the national team is something special. The most important thing for me personally is that my kids, who already understand a lot, can see me in these situations, playing for the national team, and I want to pass on to them the feeling of how big an honor and privilege it is.
My wife and I have had the chance to represent the country in various competitions, so from that perspective too, I love that I’m still part of all of this, because my children get to watch me while I do it. So I hope that in this window we can achieve good results. Against Turkey, where we probably have the two most crucial games for qualifying for the World Cup.
We’ll see who will be called up, who will be there, but again, I believe we can create a good story, and I believe Dule, with his energy and youth, deserves it above all, and I trust that he can achieve the set goals. He is one of our most talented young coaches, and he absolutely deserves the proper chance.”
Regarding Partizan, you said that the ABA League trophy after 10 years is probably the most cherished in your career. It was a very emotional moment for you, and you probably remember the photo where you hold one of your sons in tears. In any sport, winning a trophy is special, but how do you reflect on that moment which you remember so vividly?
“That is one of my favorite pictures in my career. I really regret that my older son, who was on a school trip at the time, and my wife, who had a competition, couldn’t be there when it all happened. Truly one of the most emotional moments of my career.
After returning to Partizan and everything that happened that season and everything we went through, to win the title after 10 years and to win it in that way, it really marked that period. The trophy I cherish the most in my career and one of my favorite pictures. It will definitely be framed at home, especially when I finish my career, so I can remember those days.
Sometimes I show these competition pictures to my children, and they find it particularly interesting. I am really happy that I’m still playing and that I’ll be able to play for a few more years. They already understand what their dad is doing and will be able to remember all these moments.” – concluded Danilo Andjusic in his interview with Basketball Sphere.
This year, Danilo Andjusic, with the help of his brother Luka, will also organize a basketball camp for younger categories, with a special focus on what he does best – shooting. The camp will take place from June 22 to July 12 in Valjevo. Interested participants can register for three scheduled sessions, and for more information, you can visit the official camp website.
Web site: Andjusic Shooting Camp
Instagram: Danilo Andjusic Shooting Camp
