Obradovic praises Jaleen Smith: 'I said it in front of all players' / News - Basketnews.com

Smith played the most minutes since his arrival in Belgrade, and Zeljko Obradovic was quick to publicly praise the player for his attitude and behavior throughout the time when he wasn't playing as much or wasn't playing at all.

Credit: Partizan Mozzart Bet/Emilija Jovanovic Credit Partizan Mozzart Bet/Emilija Jovanovic

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade started the ABA League playoffs with a relatively comfortable win over Igokea m:tel. One of the best players of the game was the one who doesn't often see much playing time.

Jaleen Smith

MIN:13.71PTS:5.8 (54%)REB:1.55As:1ST:0.65BL:0.1TO:0.7GM:20ProfileEuroLeague2023/2024

Jaleen Smith played over 30 minutes, scored 12 points, made all four of his three-pointers, and recorded 15 PIR points. It was the most Smith had played on the court since he arrived in Belgrade.

The 29-year-old was sidelined in EuroLeague games more often than not, playing in a total of just seven contests in three months. The EuroLeague didn't even manage to upload a photo of him, leaving just a silhouette for Smith's entire tenure in Partizan.

"He helps the team not only in the shooting statistics but other things as well, both defensively and offensively. I've already said that he behaved very well when he was not playing. I said it in front of all the players in the dressing room," head coach Zeljko Obradovic praised the player after the match.

"I thanked him because he was patient, he behaved exceptionally well, and these are some of the most important criteria. How you work in training, how you behave in training, that's how you play," the legendary specialist explained. "I don't remember anyone working well [in practices] and playing poorly in a match, it's the opposite."

When talking with BasketNews after the Serbian Radivoje Korac Cup in February, Smith admitted that it was difficult getting accustomed to not playing as much, but he remained positive throughout.

"I go from Bologna to playing, like, so-so to now not [playing], that's kind of just the situation. I'm just learning, just taking everything in, being a part of the team, and just learning as I go. I think that's the biggest thing I can take away from this year in general," the player said.

You can read the full interview with Smith here, where he talks about Belgrade, Bologna, his teammates, and Obradovic in depth.

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