Milutinov talks his return to Olympiacos, shares plans for Serbian NT / News - Basketnews.com

Vezenkov's departure was the most painful moment for Milutinov but he's ready for upcoming challenges alongside Moustapha Fall in the frontcourt. Milutinov confirmed his intention to represent Serbia in the World Cup and said the fans have to respect Nikola Jokic's decision whatever it turns out to be.

Credit: Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Nikola Milutinov will make his comeback to Olympiacos Piraeus after a three-year break. When he departed, he was arguably the best center in the EuroLeague. He now comes back to join Moustapha Fall in the frontcourt.

Nikola Milutinov

Position:CAge:28Height:212 cmWeight:100 kgBirth place:SerbiaProfileNewsStatistics

The Serbian center is participating in the Georgios Printezis' Aegean Festival in Syros. During the event, he shared his thoughts about the return to play professionally in Greece.

"I'm happy and excited to be back in Olympiacos and Greece again. I always knew somewhere in my mind that I want this to happen. I didn't know when this would happen but I always knew that I want this to happen," he said. "I'm really glad that this moment came and I cannot wait for new challenges in the new season."

"I can only say really good things about Moustapha. He's really one of the best centers right now in Europe, he showed it in the previous years," Milutinov said about the upcoming partnership with Moustapha Fall. "I'm really happy that I'll have a chance to play with him and practice with him, and improve my game. I can learn a lot from him and I'm excited to play together on the same team."

Olympiacos are going through significant changes this offseason. First, EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov left the team for NBA. Then, Kostas Sloukas transferred to the rival camp of Panathinaikos Athens.

"This was the most painful moment for me," Milutinov said about Vezenkov's departure. "We'll have a new team. The two key players from last season, they left. We'll have to work hard and give our best to play as best as we can and try to get more from the guys that did [play here] last year."

Despite coming back to Olympiacos, the next destination Milutinov would like to go to is the 2023 FIBA World Cup together with the Serbian national team. The big man confirmed his intention to represent the country in the tournament.

"I've already said yes to the coach, I'm available for the team, I really want to be part of the team," Milutinov told. "I think that we have quality but we have to show this on the court. We had quality the previous years but we didn't do as well as we were expected to do. I really hope that this year we can make something good."

The biggest question that remains for the Serbian national team is whether the reigning NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic will be able to join the group and play in the World Cup.

"We don't know yet," Milutinov said about whether Jokic will play or not. "We still have to give him some time because he had a really difficult season. Whatever he decides, we'll have to appreciate what he gave to our nation. He's one of the best players in the world right now, we have to appreciate him."

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