Mathias Lessort names lessons from Zeljko, evaluates Sloukas PAO move / News - Basketnews.com

Obradovic helped Lessort be himself on the court while realizing that he's a person first and a player second. He said that relationship with Kevin Punter will continue forever and was excited about partnership with Kostas Sloukas.

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

Mathias Lessort was one of the first players to sign with the Ergin Ataman-coached Panathinaikos Athens. He's now opened up about his career in Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade and the future in Greece.

Mathias Lessort

Position:CAge:27Height:206 cmWeight:113 kgBirth place:Martinique, FranceProfileNewsStatistics

Lessort came to Belgrade two seasons ago. Back then, he was an unproven center. Two years later, he's an All-EuroLeague First Team member and widely considered to be one of the best at his position.

In an interview with Georgios Zakkas from SDNA, the French big man told that head coach Zeljko Obradovic was a huge part of why his career turned out the way it did and named the most important thing the legendary specialist taught him.

"He knows that we are people first and professional players second. Obviously, it's hard to be sad in your life and perform well on the court. You have to find the right balance, learn to manage setbacks, and behave professionally," Lessort said. "You have to find the balance that will give you joy on the field as well. When you step on the floor, you must be happy, [you must] enjoy every moment, be focused, and have a clear mind, not thinking about what's happening around you."

"For me, it's important that they let me be myself, and that I have the space to be Mathias Lessort and not just a player or a center. I want to be myself as a man and as a person. Obradovic helped me be myself, he gave me freedom and allowed me to improve and manage my positives and negatives to get where I am," he explained. "It's really great to be in such a situation with a coach like that."

Lessort admitted that he had a great relationship with Kevin Punter. Unlike him, the star guard decided to stay in Partizan and signed a new deal. The two discussed their future moves together, Lessort says.

"Obviously, we talked a lot over the summer. We have a lot in common. Without going into details, we have a lot in common that brought us together. We joked with each other and said to each other 'Let's see where you go, so I can sign there too'. We used to say it and make fun of it," the big man shared. "Everything happened very fast and in a crazy way. Everyone thought he would go to Barcelona, ​​including me."

"Then things changed and he stayed at Partizan with a very good contract, which he deserved. I'm very happy for him. I'd very much like to play with him in the future, I enjoyed our collaboration. I'd like to play with any player we were together in Partizan in the future because we created a very special group of people and a unique bond between us. I consider Kevin my family. He is my brother and this is bigger than basketball. This relationship will continue forever, I tell you with confidence," Lessort was confident.

At first, Punter's move to stay in Belgrade was viewed as the biggest surprise of the free agency market during the offseason. However, the title was quickly taken by Kostas Sloukas who transferred from Olympiacos Piraeus to Panathinaikos Athens in what was considered the move of the decade.

Lessort was sure that playing alongside Sloukas will take his game to an even higher level.

"I don't know a single person on the planet who wasn't surprised by this transfer. I think even he surprised himself. We woke up feeling like we'd been slapped in the face," he said. "Obviously, I'm very happy about this deal. I know what a good point guard Sloukas is and how much he makes his teammates better, especially the big guys. Every tall man who competed alongside him went to the next level."

"A lot of tall players who played with Kostas took the next step in their careers and improved. I look forward to working together. I feel that it will really help me and that we can have a very good connection with each other. I was very, very excited when Sloukas signed," Lessort told. "We already had [Luca] Vildoza on the team, a high-quality guard who belongs among the best of the EuroLeague. These two players can create for the rest, play pick 'n roll, and feed the tall ones. I really like that and I'm happy to be racing alongside them."

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