Zeljko Obradovic talks about future in Partizan, players as coaches / News - Basketnews.com

Obradovic said he would continue coaching until he still feels the passion for the job. Right now, he proclaimed he was extremely happy doing his job.

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

With the return of Zeljko Obradovic, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade returned to the top European basketball. With his contract expiring after the 2023-24 season, talks are going on whether the legendary specialist will continue.

3-pointers this season

37%8,2Points made:8,2Accuracy:36,8%Place in standings:16Record max:12Record min:4Most made 3FGs:James NunnallyTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

On Friday, Obradovic returns to Greece to play against Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, a club he has won five EuroLeague titles with.

"This is a special feeling, and it will always be special. I had the best 13 years there, talking about basketball, even though I'm very happy at my club, Partizan," he told Novasports. "All your life, whenever you move, you have some kind of an experience, but no question - we had something special I will never forget. Nobody will forget this. The relationship with the Giannakopoulos family, especially with Pavlos and Thanasis, and Kostas also. It was something special. They treat me like a kid, like part of [the] family. I will always be thankful to them for that."

At 63 years old, Obradovic has won everything in Europe there was to win. He's the winningest coach in EuroLeague history, he's a coaching icon admired by all his peers. Despite all the accolades, he's certain he'll continue coaching as long as he remains passionate about it.

"I don't know," he said about his future. "I'm extremely happy doing my job. In my team, Partizan, we have something that's incredible when we're talking about what we have in our gym. Our fans always stay with us, they always help the team. You have the example of [the] last game. We are down by 24 points, it looks like we're up by 50. They continue to trust us, they give us [the] energy to change the game. Every game is like this. Until I have this feeling, until I have this passion for basketball, I will continue. How long? I don't know really."

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade / Schedule

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens Partizan Mozzart Bet BelgradeFri19:15 Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade Zalgiris Kaunas01-2619:30

"Three days ago, we played against Cibona that is [coached] by [the] son of coach [Jasmin] Repesa. I joked, and I said, 'I played against the father, the son, and maybe now I have to wait for his son to have a game against him.' Maybe after that, I will decide to stop," Obradovic proclaimed.

Before becoming a coach, Obradovic was a long-time point guard at Partizan. Now, two of his former players - Vassilis Spanoulis and Sarunas Jasikevicius - are coaching at the highest level as well.

Jasikevicius has already proven himself as one of the top specialists in the continent. Spanoulis, meanwhile, is building his name with Peristeri in the Basketball Champions League (BCL) in his second season in the profession.

"When I was their coach, it was really easy. Right now, it's easy to understand which players have the talent to be coaches one day. For me, it was without question that both Vassilis and Saras had this quality," Obradovic said.

"Saras already has incredible experience in the EuroLeague working in Lithuania and Barcelona and now Fenerbahce. Vassilis just started over here. Both of them - they were incredible players, and because of that, they understand basketball. That's the first thing. The second thing is to dedicate the time to a coaching job, and they're doing this," Zeljko explained. "I believe they will be in that job for lots and lots of years, and I wish both of them all the best."

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