Jaleen Smith: Partizan struggles, weirdest thing about Zach LeDay, and lessons abroad / News - Basketnews.com

Amidst uncertainty in the rotation, Jaleen Smith opened up about his struggles this season and talked about things that delight, excite, and frustrate him on and off the court.

Credit: Partizan Mozzart Bet/Dragana Stjepanovic Credit Partizan Mozzart Bet/Dragana Stjepanovic

Jaleen Smithhas been on a rollercoaster this season. Starting off withVirtus Segafredo Bologna, he's now withPartizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade. However, his road did not become easier.

3-pointers this season

37%8,0Points made:8,0Accuracy:36,6%Place in standings:16Record max:12Record min:4Most made 3FGs:Kevin PunterTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Although he was initially seen as a candidate to take over the main point guard's duties, Smith didn't have a clear-cut role in Virtus from the very beginning. With theresurgence of 36-year-old Daniel Hackett, Smith's playing time gradually diminished. Ultimately, he switched teams and signed with Partizan.

One of the most common criticisms of head coach Zeljko Obradovic's roster is that Partizan doesn't have a creator-type point guard, asPJ DozierandKevin Punterare often seen as scorers and slashers rather than game organizers.

Meanwhile,Aleksa Avramovic's strength is on the defensive side of the court, evident by hisperformance at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Despite a seemingly empty role on the roster, Smith has to fight an uphill battle again. He was excluded from the 12-man roster against Zalgiris Kaunas, AS Monaco, and FC Bayern Munich.

Lastly, he was one of the few foreigners excluded from the roster that competed in the Serbian Radivoje Korac Cup in Nis in the middle of February.

"This is my first time with Red Star and Partizan fans being in the same gym together," Smith toldBasketNews. "I was thinking to myself if I would be even able to handle it if I was on the court. The guys that played are

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