Olympiacos Piraeus (8-8) is aiming to string together a winning streak as it travels to ALBA (3-13). 

ALBA welcomes Olympiacos to the German capital

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/alba-berlin-olympiacos-piraeus/E2023/151/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-game-facts-ber-oly/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-game-notes-ber-oly/) | Quotes |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-17/)

The Reds cast aside their recent struggles to gain a 73-85 win at ASVEL last week powered by a near-record 8 blocks by Moustapha Fall.  Another factor was a return to form for [Shaquielle McKissic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/shaquielle-mckissic/007853/), who reached double-digit scoring (13 points) for the first time this season. ALBA will hope for another strong performance from [Matt Thomas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/matt-thomas/008967/), who made 3 of his 5 three-point attempts in last week’s loss to Fenerbahce, but needs to improve a defense that has allowed 85.8 points per game, fourth-worst in the league, and could be haunted by memories of a 60-93 home loss to Olympiacos in February.

[ALBA Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/alba-berlin/statistics/ber/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Olympiacos Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/olympiacos-piraeus/statistics/oly/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Johannes Thiemann vs. Moustapha Fall: A clash of styles in the post will be on display Friday as two of the EuroLeague's most consistent big men meet.

Last Game: 2022-23, ALBA Berlin vs. Olympiacos Piraeus - Round 24

ALBA Berlin v Olympiacos Piraeus (2023-12-29T19:00:00.000Z)

A top-six battle awaits as joint-fourth AS Monaco (9-7) welcomes joint-second FC Barcelona (11-5). 

Monaco and Barcelona lock horns in the principality

[Rosters](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/game-center/2023-24/as-monaco-fc-barcelona/E2023/152/#roster) | [Facts](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-game-facts-mco-bar/) | [Notes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tae2324-rs17-game-notes-mco-bar/) | Quotes |[ TV](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/tv-listings-el/) | [Fantasy](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/fantasy-challenge-tips-round-17/)

The Spanish side ended a poor run of road form by grabbing a battling win at Zalgiris last time out, propelled by constant perimeter threat [Nico Laprovittola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nicolas-laprovittola/006435/) draining 4 three-pointers, while Monaco was relieved to end a two-game losing run by beating Bayern on the road thanks to a season-high 28 points from the lethal [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/). The ability of Laprovittola and [Tomas Satoransky](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/tomas-satoransky/002939/) to guard James will be crucial, while Monaco must also deal with Barca’s powerful inside threat of [Jan Vesely](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/jan-vesely/000925/) – who scored 15 points on 6-of-7 field goal shooting at Zalgiris – and [Willy Hernangomez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/willy-hernangomez/003196/), who averages 11.4 points and 4.6 boards per game.

[Monaco Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/as-monaco/statistics/mco/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases) | [Barcelona Stats](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/fc-barcelona/statistics/bar/?season=2023-24&phase=All%20phases)

Mike James vs. Nicolas Laprovittola: Two of the most dangerous sharpshooters in the EuroLeague will duel on Friday in the last tipoff of the season's first leg.

Last Game: 2022-23, AS Monaco vs. FC Barcelona - Final Four, 3rd Place Game

AS Monaco v FC Barcelona (2023-12-29T20:00:00.000Z)

EuroLeague TV subscribers enjoy early access to new Euroleague Basketball Originals series

Four-episode "Overseas" documentary lands on EuroLeague TV!

### EuroLeague TV subscribers enjoy early access to new Euroleague Basketball Originals series

Crossing oceans to pursue their hoop dreams, young pros face challenges that go far beyond playing well under the glare of arena lights.

The new Euroleague Basketball Originals documentary "Overseas" shows how superstars usually seen running and dunking on TV balance the demands of elite sport with their new off-court lives in cultures vastly different from their own.

Four intimate episodes crisscross two continents in iconic settings like Athens, Monaco and Milan but also take you into the homes and daily routines of three Turkish Airlines EuroLeague superstars.

All four episodes are available as of Wednesday, December 27 to EuroLeague TV subscribers, so [get your EuroLeague TV account now](https://tv.euroleague.net/) and enjoy exclusive access to the documentary as well as all games broadcast live and on demand, feature videos, vintage game replays and more.

Get to know Kyle Hines, Shaquielle McKissic and Donatas Motiejunas – and their families at home and abroad – as they tell a rich and personal story of how starting careers and families in foreign lands has brought out the best in them, even if their stardom may not translate back home.

"Many people will call me the king of EuroLeague because I've won the most titles, you know, in the new era," says Hines, a four-time EuroLeague champion. "But back home, nobody knows me. They just know that I play basketball. So here I am, Kyle Hines, the unknown king."

Crossing oceans to pursue their hoop dreams, young pros face challenges that go far beyond playing well under the glare of arena lights. This shows how superstars usually seen running and dunking on TV balance the demands of elite sport with their new off-court lives in cultures vastly different from their own.

Overseas | Trailer

At ages when their peers are often seeking anchors and stability, they must thrive on nomadic living and performance pressure at the same time that they cope with the fact of being far away from loved ones.

"When my mom had breast cancer, you know, I wasn't able to be there. When my sister was fighting lupus, I wasn't able to be there," Shaquielle McKissic of Olympiacos Piraeus says. "When you're a professional basketball player and you have to go to Europe or leave the country, these are a lot of things that you deal with, but I'm for sure blessed."

Sometimes it all comes together beautifully, as it did for Motiejunas, whose career took him his native Lithuania to Poland, the United States and China before he recently returned to Europe. When the team that brought him back, AS Monaco, made last season's Final Four, it meant a full-circle moment as he made a unique and special return to his hometown of Kaunas.

"During the Final Four, we were driving those streets. I was telling everyone, 'Hey, this is where I was born. This is the street I was going down every day to school,'" Motiejunas recalls. "To drive by those streets, to realize that, hey, we're playing the Final Four in my hometown, where I actually grew up, where I walked all these streets... It's just like an amazing feeling."

Their basketball talent and devotion is admirable in itself, but there is a lot more to be learned from these basketball believers who found a unique calling when they followed their passions "Overseas".

The Euroleague Basketball Originals documentary series captures the intimacy behind the EuroLeague spotlights and provides full access to the protagonists and the people who know them best.

Round 17 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague has seven games on Thursday and only two on Friday – and that makes for some interesting approaches to building your team EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge team. Javier Gancedo and Frankie Sachs, co-hosts of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast, are taking different approaches to this conundrum and you can hear all about it on episode No. 15 of the podcast.

Fantasy Challenge Podcast: Javi takes a big risk

Round 17 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague has seven games on Thursday and only two on Friday – and that makes for some interesting approaches to building your team [EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge](https://euroleaguefantasy.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/home) team. Javier Gancedo and Frankie Sachs, co-hosts of the EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast, are taking different approaches to this conundrum and you can hear all about it on episode No. 15 of the podcast.

Among the other burning fantasy topics they discuss are what players to target in the derby of Istanbul between Fenerbahce Beko and Anadolu Efes, who are the players to own from Valencia Basket, and what to make of the Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv backcourt. There is no better – or more fun – place to get your fantasy analysis, so listen up before Round 17!

Fantasy Challenge Podcast: Episode 15

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade added an intriguing piece to its backcourt by bring back teenage star Nikola Topic, the club announced. Topic spent the first part of the season with a fellow-Belgrade club Mega MIS, where he starred in the Adriatic League averaging 18.6 points, 6.9 assists and 3.7 rebounds. 

Zvezda brings young star Nikola Topic back from loan

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade added an intriguing piece to its backcourt by bring back teenage star [Nikola Topic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nikola-topic/010985/), the club announced on Monday. Topic (1.98 meters, 18 years old) spent the first part of the season with a fellow-Belgrade club Mega MIS, where he starred in the Adriatic League averaging 18.6 points, 6.9 assists and 3.7 rebounds.

Earlier this season, Topic had 21 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds playing against Zvezda, and collected 14 points and 8 assists when he helped Mega to an upset win over Belgrade's other Turkish Airilnes EuroLeague side, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade.

Zvezda had signed a four-year deal with Topic, his first professional contract, during the summer. He spent the past three years in Zvezda's youth system, and has had three brief appearances in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague – one in the 2021-22 season and two during the 2022-23 campaign, for a total of 10:23 minutes – but he is yet to score a point in the competition.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">Zvezdino dete se vraća kući!<br>To je TOP!<br><br>Welcome back home, Nikola 🔴⚪️❤️<a href="https://twitter.com/MilosTeodosic4?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MilosTeodosic4</a> 🙌🏼<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkcz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkcz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreTheTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreTheTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ykfvu4WhI6">pic.twitter.com/Ykfvu4WhI6</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1739720257965588481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### An ANGT star

The son of Milenko Topic, a former Zvezda player and coach, the 18-year old Nikola Topic spent the second half of last season on loan at Serbian League side OKK Belgrade. However, he has made the most noise so far in the youth categories.

Last May, Topic was voted to the All-Tournament Team at the Adidas Next Generation Tournament Finals, where in three games he posted 30.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.0 steals for an average PIR of 39.3. Earlier last season, Topic received the Most Valuable Player award at the ANGT Belgrade event, having posted 26.8 points while shooting 52.9% on three-pointers and going 32-of-33 on free throws (97.0%). He also averaged 3.8 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 2.0 steals for an average PIR of 33.5. During that tournament, Topic tied the ANGT all-time single-game scoring record with 49 points and tied for third all-time highest PIR mark with a rating of 65 in Zvezda’s group-stage win over NGT Belgrade.

During the summer, Topic led Serbia to a gold medal at the U18 European Championship. He was the MVP of that tournament, too.

Crvena Zvezda News

Nikola Topic in action for U18 Crvena Zvezda Belgrade at the 2023 ANGT Finals.

Crvena Zvezda brings back an 18-year old star Nikola Topic, who was loaned ahead of this season.

In a competition that lived up to its promise that every game matters, Turkish Airlines EuroLeague stars and head coaches piled up plenty of records and milestones in 2024.

 2023 was full of EuroLeague milestones, records 

### 2022-23 season

**March 4:** [Kyle Hines, third player to 300 blocks](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/kyle-hines-still-excelling-as-he-joins-the-300-block-club/)

Four-time EuroLeague champion [Kyles Hines](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kyle-hines/002812/) of A7 Emporio Armani Milan became just t[he third player in the competition this century to record 300 career blocks](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&statisticMode=accumulated&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&statistic=blocksFavour), following still-active Walter Tavares and Bryant Dunston.

**March 9**: [De Colo, second all-time in scoring](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/de-colo-becomes-second-best-all-time-scorer/)

[Nando De Colo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nando-de-colo/002100/) of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, who had reached the 4,000-point milestone late in 2022, moved into into second place on [the all-time scoring chart](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&statisticMode=accumulated&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&statistic=score), surpassing the great Juan Carlos Navarro to leave just one player ahead of him on the list of the EuroLeague's best scorers, Vassilis Spanoulis.

**March 18**: [Steals milestones for Calathes, Fernandez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/roll-call-steals-milestones-for-nick-calathes-rudy-fernandez/)

In the same round that [Nick Calathes](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nick-calathes/001932/) of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul became just the second EuroLeague player ever with 400 steals, [Rudy Fernandez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/rudy-fernandez/bmt/) of Real Madrid moved behind him into third place on the [career steals chart](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&statisticMode=accumulated&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&statistic=steals), both of them still looking up at the great Dimitris Diamantidis.

**May 21:** [Lull, Rodriguez set Final Four records](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/title-game-was-filled-with-records-milestones/)

Among several marks set on a spectacular weekend in Kaunas, including the highest-scoring first half with the most three-pointers made in championship game history, Real Madrid star [Sergio Llull](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sergio-llull/tgb/)'s title-winning shot helped him reach the [highest accumulated points in the Final Four this century](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-players/?size=25&misc=&category=Score&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=accumulated&phase=FF), just as his teammate [Sergio Rodriguez](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/sergio-rodriguez/cvm/) did in [assists](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/key-stats-players/?size=25&misc=&category=Assistances&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&aggregate=accumulated&phase=FF), passing Llull.

**May 22**: [Vezenkov led a parade of single-season record-breakers](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/single-season-records-were-aplenty-in-2022-23/)

Sasha Vezenkov, the 2023-24 MVP, had the highest accumulations of PIR, field goals and defensive rebounds, just a few of the single-season records that fell in 2023, including total blocks by Real Madrid star [Walter Tavares](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tribute-to-the-champs-walter-tavares/) and free throws made by his teammate, [Dzanan Musa](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tribute-to-the-champs-dzanan-musa/).

Mike James hits 4,000-point milestone

### 2023-24 season

**October 18**: [Messina, Hines reach milestones together](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/messina-joined-exclusive-euroleague-300-win-club/)

On a special night for EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, head coach became just the second coach to achieve 300 EuroLeague victories this century, joining Zeljko Obradovic, while center [Kyle Hines broke the EuroLeague record for career games played](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/kyle-hines-euroleague-appearance-record-games-played/) when he stepped on court for the 393rd time.

**October 26**: [Mike James, fastest to 4,000 points](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/mike-james-is-fastest-ever-to-reach-4000-euroleague-points/)

In just his 248th game, [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) of AS Monaco became the fourth, and fastest, 4,000-point scorer in history. [James joined a select group of players](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&statisticMode=accumulated&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&statistic=score) that also includes Vassilis Spanoulis, Nando De Colo and Juan Carlos Navarro.

**December 5**: [Ergin Ataman, 400 EuroLeague games](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/ergin-ataman-becomes-third-to-coach-400-games/)

In his 16th EuroLeague season, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens head coach Ergin Ataman worked his 400th game against the team he led to back-to-back EuroLeague titles, Anadolu Efes Istanbul. He joined Zeljko Obradovic and Ettore Messina as the only head coaches to preside over 400 games this century.

**December 7**: [Milos Teodosic, fifth all-time in assists](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/teodosic-moves-up-the-assists-charts/)

One of the all-time great passers, Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade playmaker [Milos Teodosic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/milos-teodosic/jdr/) moved into sixth place on the competition's assists charts. He would soon after take over [fifth place](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&statisticMode=accumulated&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&statistic=assistances), as well..

**December 9**: [Mike James, third all-time in scoring, PIR](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/mike-james-euroleague-scoring-list-pir-third-place/)

Twice on the same night, 10-year EuroLeague veteran [Mike James](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/mike-james/005985/) of AS Monaco wrote his name into the history books, surpassing Juan Carlos Navarro on the[ career scoring chart](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&statisticMode=accumulated&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&statistic=score) and Kyle Hines on the [all-time PIR list](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&statisticMode=accumulated&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&statistic=valuation) to place third in each.

**December 16:** [Kyle Hines, second all-time rebounder](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/milans-hines-climbed-to-second-in-all-time-rebounds/)

One of the most-celebrated big men of his generation, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan center [Kyle Hines](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/kyle-hines/002812/), added a new milestone to his collection, climbing one spot on the all-time rebounds list, [going past Felipe Reyes to rank second overall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/stats/expanded/?size=25&viewType=traditional&statisticMode=accumulated&seasonMode=All&sortDirection=descending&statistic=totalRebounds).

EuroLeague milestones in 2023



In a competition that lived up to its promise that every game matters, Turkish Airlines EuroLeague stars and head coaches piled up plenty of records and milestones in 2024.

2023 was full of EuroLeague milestones, records

Trademarks by Eurohoops: A new era in the Istanbul derby

Erdem Can began building a new-look Anadolu Efes Istanbul squad over the summer, following the departures of his predecessor, Ergin Ataman, and superstar guard Vasilije Micic.

Sarunas Jasikevicius recently became the new face on Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul's bench, replacing Dimitris Itoudis in what felt like a sudden shift, but gave way to three straight wins.

Their arrivals add special meaning to this week's clash between the two Turkish powerhouses even beyond the normally elevated significance of a cross-town derby. Appropriately, the Istanbul derby will open Round 17, the last of both the year and the first leg of the regular season, with a bang.

[MORE](https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/1603039/efes-vs-fenerbahce-a-new-era-in-the-istanbul-derby-euroleague/)

With new faces on each bench and plenty of challenges in the new year ahead, the first Istanbul derby of the EuroLeague season is packed with possibilities.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul v Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (2023-12-28T17:30:00.000Z)

Arriving at LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne four games into the season, former Italian star Gianmarco Pozzecco had already made his mark as a player and a head coach.

 Gianmarco Pozzecco, ASVEL: 'Basketball is an opportunity to have fun' 

LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne made noise earlier this season when, after just four rounds of the new Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, Italian head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco was brought on to replace T. J. Parker, brother of club president Tony Parker.

Nicknamed the Atomic Fly during his 20-year long professional playing career, Pozzecco has been no different while roaming the sidelines ever since he started coaching a decade ago – animated, emotional and involved.

"I'm different, and not because I want to act different, but because I grew up different," Pozzecco says. "I played basketball just for fun. As the coach, it's the same. Everything that basketball is for me is an opportunity to have fun."

Pozzecco, 51, has won over his players everywhere he has coached for creating team harmony and chemistry. That includes his latest job, serving as the head coach of the Italian national team the past two years, and it has been no different at ASVEL.

ASVEL head coach

I will put all my passion, like I did as a basketball player."

"He coaches different," ASVEL forward Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot says. "He puts you in the best position as a player to perform. He makes us smile, he makes us want to fight for him and for the team."

Pozzecco admits he initially had certain doubts on how some of the legends he would get to coach at ASVEL – like Nando De Colo, Charles Kahudi or Joffrey Lauvergne – would react to him, and perhaps to his style, but those worries soon disappeared.

"Basketball is basketball," he says. "I am just here to help the club grow and my players to win games."

Arriving at ASVEL four games into the season, Gianmarco Pozzecco had already made his mark as a player and a head coach.

Gianmarco Pozzecco: 'Basketball is an opportunity to have fun'

Arriving at ASVEL four games into the season, Gianmarco Pozzecco had already made his mark as a player and a head coach.


 Gianmarco Pozzecco, ASVEL: 'Basketball is an opportunity to have fun'

Every time Dejan Davidovac gets ready to put on a Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade jersey, it feels as it is in his DNA to do just that. The 28-year-old is a Crvena Zvezda fan through and through because of his late grandfather and a basketball player because of his father and older brother. Davidovac is simply living his dream by playing the sport he loves for his favorite club.

Dejan Davidovac, Crvena Zvezda: 'We are a basketball family'

Every time [Dejan Davidovac](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/dejan-davidovac/007960/) gets ready to put on a Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade jersey, it feels as it is in his DNA to do just that. And that's not just because his body frame combined with his understanding of the game allows him to play any position, from 'one' to 'four'.

The 28-year-old is a Crvena Zvezda fan through and through because of his late grandfather and a basketball player because of his father and older brother. Davidovac is simply living his dream by playing the sport he loves for his favorite club.

"I was little, so little, when my grandfather took me to a Zvezda soccer game," Davidovac smiled. "He brought me to the game, and I started to be like a part of this club."

His grandfather Bozidar was a soccer player in his youth and a Zvezda die-hard: "I was too young to remember it, but Zvezda is in my heart since then."

The journey how he got to wear the Zvezda basketball jersey, however, started a few years later, in his hometown of Zrenjanin. 

"I'm the last in my family who started to play basketball, and maybe, the best," Davidovac laughed.

Dejan Davidovac (pictured left) and his brother Bojan (right) with Simo Salapura (middle), the mayor of their hometown of Zrenjanin, helping promote basketball in their town. (photo credit: Zrenjanin.rs)

His father Dragoslav was a player and his brother Bojan, who is five years older, started practicing at a young age, too.

"We are a basketball family," Davidovac said, adding "I heard about my father. He was talented. He was good. But he had some injury and he just stopped playing."

His brother began practicing basketball when he started elementary school, and Dejan did the same.

"I just followed him. I just started to play basketball because of him", Davidovac explained. "I started at the same age when he started. Like a copy-paste."

The two brothers had a rivalry like any brothers have, competing every step of the way.

"He was stronger, he was higher, everything. I was younger and \[thinking\] I cannot let him beat me," the Zvezda forward recalled. "So, the normal things between the brothers. And when we became equal, we just stopped", Davidovac laughed.

Davidovac stood out with talent, and as time passed, he needed to move to bigger things. It led him to Serbian clubs known for developing talent, first to Vrsac, a town about an hour and a half away, before he joined FMP Zeleznik in the Serbian capital. After two years there, he joined Crvena Zvezda in 2017.

"Zrenjanin is a small city, small club, and that was the first step of my career to move from my hometown. It was a little bit tough, especially for my mother," Davidovac said. "After that for me, it was just going step by step, playing in all leagues. I took it easy, I was patient, and I reached the EuroLeague, the best level in Europe."

And every step of the way, his mother Svetlana, his father and his brother were always there for him. From the day he started playing basketball, to leaving home for the first time as a teenager, to this day when he is in his fifth EuroLeague season, as a Basketball World Cup silver medalist with the Serbian national team.

"I learned from my family to never give up. They supported me, and they pushed me, and that's the best thing for me. To have somebody like that behind me, that's maybe the most important in my career", Davidovac said. 

And as far as that rivalry with his brother, who had a professional career of his own and played in the French lower divisions as well as for a couple of Serbian lower-division clubs, it's been put to a stop.

"That's maybe the best thing. No more fighting, no more rivalry, no more anything, we just stopped. He is just a big support. I know he is proud of me and he's an important person in my life for sure", Davidovac concluded.

Coming from a basketball family, Crvena Zvezda forward Dejan Davidovac is living his dream, playing the sport he loves for his favorite club.