Currently the most sought-after player in Europe and the biggest star of Valencia, Jean Montero once showed interest in Partizan and legendary coach Zeljko Obradovic.
The Dominican guard arrived in Europe at just 15 years old, taking his first basketball steps with Gran Canaria, although he never actually played for the senior team there.
Former Partizan player Mihajlo Andric, who shared the floor with Jean Montero in Andorra, recently opened up about his experience playing alongside the young star in an interview with “Meridian Sport.”
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“I did not know him before, but when I heard that a 20-year-old kid was coming to save our season, my first reaction was: ‘Come on, seriously?’ After two games, everything became clear to me,” said the current Breogan player.
He then continued:
“He was young only on paper. It felt like playing alongside Sloukas. I have never seen that kind of understanding of the game at that age. He reads everything on the floor, both offensively and defensively. No matter how talented young players are, at that age they usually look for support from coaches when making decisions. They need someone behind them to guide them. Montero never once looked toward the bench. And it was not arrogance at all — he simply already had everything figured out.”
Following the 2023/24 season with Andorra, nearly every EuroLeague club reportedly showed interest in Jean Montero, while offers also arrived from the United States.
“There were stories all around the club that everybody wanted him. But what is unbelievable is the way Montero, probably together with the people around him, manages his career. I only found out during the summer that he had received an NBA offer during the season.
He turned it down because he did not want to move before the season ended. He never rushed anything. What also says a lot about the way he thinks is that Valencia was probably offering the least money among all the clubs interested in him at the time, and on top of that he had to play in the EuroCup.”
Over the last several months, Montero has once again been linked with numerous clubs, while even NCAA programs have reportedly shown interest in him.
“Considering the decisions he has made so far, I think that is impossible. He has already shown everyone how good he is and what he can do, so it would surprise me. But in basketball, anything can happen.”
While the two shared a locker room in Andorra, Montero often spoke with Andric about where he could continue his career next, which eventually led to conversations about Partizan and Zeljko Obradovic.
“Montero asked me several times about Partizan and Zeljko Obradovic. He was very interested in the club and in the way Zeljko works. I never personally played for Obradovic, but I could tell him everything I had heard from people close to him. Jean paid a lot of attention to choosing the right coach and environment, which is why he seriously considered Partizan. I do not know if there were ever any real contacts, but in the end he chose Valencia,” added Andric while speaking about the most wanted player in European basketball.
There is no doubt that Jean Montero’s market value skyrocketed even further after his incredible playoff series against Panathinaikos and Valencia’s qualification for the Final Four. A strong showing in Athens could push his value to completely unprecedented levels.
Basketball Sphere presents: 27 players on our radar who could make the jump to a EuroLeague this summer. 👀 🟠
— Basketball Sphere (@BSphere_) May 13, 2026
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