The presence of Zeljko Obradovic on the bench has made Partizan Belgrade one of the most desired destinations of European basketball. The last recruited by the legendary coach has been Rodions Kurucs, Barça youth squad and former NBA player.
The 23-year-old forward, who was in the United States without a team, has signed for the Serbian club with a double clause that would allow him to leave both this summer and the next summer to the NBA if there is a firm offer from a team.
The addition joins those of Kevin Punter, Zach LeDay and Aleksa Avramovic to build one of the most competitive squads of the Eurocup, the second competition in the Euroleague system.
Kurucs arrived at the Barça quarry from Riga and trained for three years playing with Barça B. Given the lack of opportunities in the first team, the player tried his luck in the United States after being chosen in the position 40 of the 2018 Draft by the Brooklyn Nets.
In the NBA, Kurucs has gone from high to low, with a solid debut season (8.5 points and 3.9 rebounds in 20 minutes per game) which led to a significant reduction in his prominence.
In the last season, the Latvian was transferred first to the Houston Rockets and then to the Milwaukee Bucks, with whom he played only five games.