Facundo Campazzo names the element he's seen only in Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic / News - Basketnews.com

In an interview with Mozzart Sport, Facundo Campazzo reflected on the year 2022, shared his impressions after the first week as a Crvena Zvezda player, and talked about playing next to Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic.

Credit: AFP, USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix; FIBA Credit AFP, USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix; FIBA

It's been just over a week since one of the biggest signings in the history of Crvena Zvezda arrived in Belgrade.

Nikola Jokic

Team:Denver NuggetsPosition:C, PFAge:27Height:208 cmWeight:111 kgBirth place:SerbiaProfileNewsStatistics

Facundo Campazzo is still the number one topic in the Serbian capital, especially after his brilliant debut in the victory over Borac Cacak. He showed only a fraction of his rich repertoire and tickled the fan's imagination. Zvezda fans could not wish for a better gift for the New Year holidays.

After 13 wins in 14 games since the arrival of Dusko Ivanovic on the bench and the Argentinian point guard's signing, a feeling of euphoria was created among the club's supporters. A little less than 7,000 fans attended the ABA League match vs. Cacak, as queues formed in front of the Aleksandar Nikolic hall. Tickets for the match against FC Barcelona on Friday sold out in an hour.

"I feel great, I'm glad to be here," Campazzo told Mozzart Sport.

"I'm excited to start playing for this team. Belgrade is great, and the red-and-white family makes my life easy. We're building something big, we have a great team and we're ready to continue like that."

At the beginning of 2022, Campazzo played with the Denver Nuggets in NBA. Little did he know about his future that would unite him with the Serbian powerhouse, just a few weeks after his fellow countryman Luca Vildoza had followed the same path.

"I live in the moment, I don't think too far ahead. It was a crazy and really unforgettable year for me. I learned a lot, and I think I'm a better player than I was," the 31-year-old player said.

Credit ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic

While Facundo Campazzo accumulated good experience in the NBA, making 152 appearances, European basketball still has a special place in his heart.

Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade / Schedule

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"It's different. I spent most of my career playing under FIBA ​​rules. I've only played in the NBA for a little over two years, but it's crazy there. Really amazing. Top basketball with the best players in the world. You always have to be physically and mentally ready," the two-time EuroLeague champ commented.

"Being there was big for me, but I especially like the basketball played here. It's more tactical, you have to use your brain, and you have less time and space. It's a big challenge."

Campazzospent less than two seasons in the company of the two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic. That's why he credits the Serbian center for helping him become a better player.

"I've improved tremendously next to Jokic. He's one of the best players in the world, he plays at a high level and makes all his teammates better. Only a few people can do that. It's Luka Doncic and him. It's crazy. On and off the court, he's a winner. He always thinks about how to win games, it is very difficult to find a player like him."

Credit REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Campazzo says he's understood what lies behind the mastery of one of the best centers of all time.

"He works very hard, every day he is in the gym. Before the game, after the game, on his day off... That surprised me. I didn't expect him to practice so much, considering that he spends a lot of time on the court and that he lifts weights like crazy after games. Nothing has come naturally to him, he works hard to play at that level."

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