Dylan Osetkowski has started a new chapter of his career with Valencia, but his comments about last season at Partizan drew particular attention during his official presentation.
The American forward with a German passport endured a difficult campaign in Belgrade, describing the entire season as challenging from start to finish. While Dylan Osetkowski did not go into detail about every episode surrounding the club, his comments offered a glimpse into just how turbulent the previous year was.
“Ethan Thompson simply doesn’t have a bad day. He’s always smiling and he’s a great teammate.
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He’s a great teammate, has a great attitude, always works hard and wants to get better.
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Partizan chaos
Osetkowski made no attempt to hide how difficult his previous season was. Speaking about his time at Partizan, he stressed that the challenges affected both him personally and the club as a whole.
“Last year was a difficult year, from beginning to end, not just for me as an individual, but for the team and the club. Does it help? Of course. I think some of the biggest personal growth comes in difficult moments, through struggles.”
He then used his wife as an example of just how much happened throughout the season, joking that there was enough material for an entire book.
“I constantly tell my wife that she should write a book about everything that happened last year, all the struggles, the ups and downs.”
Partizan went through significant changes throughout the campaign, with Zeljko Obradovic’s departure adding to an already difficult situation. The season was also marked by moments when frustrated supporters directed criticism toward their own players, while Jabari Parker and Tyrique Jones were both moved on during the season as the turmoil around the team continued.
A new beginning for Dylan Osetkowski at Valencia
After a complicated season in Belgrade, Osetkowski returns to a competition he already knows well. His previous spell with Unicaja established him as one of the notable interior players in Liga Endesa, where he was also selected to the league’s Best Five.
Now, he arrives at Valencia with a clear objective and an understanding of what the club expects from him.
“As a team, I understand that this year is historic after last year with the titles and now with the 40th anniversary. I’m here to help the club and win. That’s what I want to do here.”
Osetkowski’s versatility should be one of his biggest assets. He can play at both forward and center, provide spacing with his outside shooting and contribute on both ends of the floor.
“We talked a little bit. You know, being able to play the four and the five, being able to help both offensively and defensively. I think I know how to win. I think I know what it takes to play in the Liga Endesa. I think I know what it takes to play in the EuroLeague.”
The return to Spain also gives Dylan Osetkowski the chance to play in a style he feels particularly comfortable with.
“Yes, I feel very comfortable playing here in Spain. I think this league and this style of basketball fit me very well. Playing here requires a lot of concentration and a lot of thought, and I’m very excited to be back playing as a team, together, fast and with a lot of force.”
His adaptation should also be helped by three familiar faces from his Unicaja days. Kameron Taylor, Yankuba Sima and Mario Saint-Supery are all now part of Valencia, giving Osetkowski an immediate connection within his new locker room.
“For me, it’s a unique situation to come to a new team after having played with three previous players. I know a lot of the guys, so there’s already a sense of comfort and camaraderie with them and other players. But it helps me a lot to integrate into a new team with new rules and a new identity, and to have the support of close teammates on and off the court, both from the coach and the other players. So right now there’s a really good atmosphere on the team.”
