The Serbian big man returns to Europe’s premier club basketball competition after a brief spell in the NBA.
Olympiacos brings Filip Petrusev back to the EuroLeague
Article
3 Mins read
Olympiacos Piraeus has announced the signing of Filip Petrusev on a three-year deal. Petrusev (2.11 meters, 23 years old) returns to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague after averaging 10.7 points and 5.2 rebounds in 34 games for Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade in the 2022-23 season. He last played for the Philadelphia 76ers and the Sacramento Kings in the NBA.
Back with a point to prove
Petrusev impressed at Zvezda last season after a turbulent rookie EuroLeague campaign with Anadolu Efes Istanbul in the 2021-22 campaign. Despite becoming a EuroLeague champion with Efes, the Serbian big man saw his role decrease as the season went on and didn’t play any part during the playoffs or the Final Four.
He therefore used last season as a way to remind everyone of his talent, having previously been named the ABA League MVP when he was just 21 years old. Petrusev took a little while to get going but once he felt comfortable under head coach Dusko Ivanovic, he kept improving and improving, even earning himself MVP of the Round honors in Round 17.
Now, having come back to the EuroLeague after a tricky spell in the NBA, Petrusev will once again look to prove that he is one of the best big men on the continent.
Where does Petrusev fit in at Olympiacos?
Olympiacos is able to boast one of the best frontcourts in the entire EuroLeague at present, with Nikola Milutinov and Moustapha Fall at the center position and Alec Peters and Luke Sikma at power forward. So, Petrusev — a center by trade — will have to try and force his way into the rotation, but what he does offer is a high-quality alternative.
Also able to play at the ‘4’ position, Petrusev’s flexibility could serve him well as he adjusts to the instructions of Reds head coach Georgios Bartzokas. What's more, his ability to stretch the floor – he shot 35.1% on threes last year, making 20-of-57 – is another weapon in the 23-year-old’s armory, as Olympiacos now has arguably the best trio of centers in the EuroLeague.