Zach LeDay: Practices with Julius Randle, tips for foreigners, and Zeljko in-depth / News - Basketnews.com

From the contents of his famous backpack and practices with Knicks star Julius Randle to tips for foreign players in Europe or an in-depth analysis of Zeljko Obradovic and his style of coaching -- Zach Leday shared his life in Belgrade and Europe overall.

Credit: Elsa/Pool Photo via AP - Scanpix; Partizan Mozzart Bet/Dragana Stjepanovic | BasketNews illustration/M.Bertys Credit Elsa/Pool Photo via AP - Scanpix; Partizan Mozzart Bet/Dragana Stjepanovic | BasketNews illustration/M.Bertys

WithPartizan Mozzart Bet Belgradetroubled with injuries and suspensions,Zach LeDayhas been the model of consistency throughout the playoff series againstReal Madrid, improving his game significantly under the brightest of lights.

Zach LeDay

Position:PF, CAge:29Height:202 cmWeight:106 kgBirth place:Dallas, United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

LeDay is a unique player. If you don't know him on the court, you can certainly see one aspect of his routine off the court - his famous backpack.

He's been carrying it since his college days,it's his lucky charm. What's in there? Only Zach knows.

"It's just things I need to play the game, things you won't ever expect," he toldBasketNewsafter practice before Game 4. "If I get hurt, medical stuff. Notebooks, markers, pins... anything. It's very unpredictable."

With the backpack on his back, we began a conversation, ranging on various topics that were, at times, not necessarily basketball-related.

LeDay has already played for four EuroLeague teams -Olympiacos Piraeus, Zalgiris, Milan, and Partizan. Even though two of those teams are in the playoffs this year as well, he's too invested in his work to watch the games in other arenas, he says.

"I watch the highlights. I'm not watching the games, I'm not watching the full games because I'm too busy watching my game five times," LeDay laughs. "I'm definitely watching the highlights. I definitely see what's going on."

Besides the EuroLeague, playoff basketball is being played outside Europe as well, with NBA teams battling for the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

Being from Dallas, Texas, LeDay is a lifelongDallas Mavericksfan. This season was a rollercoaster for the team. First, it looked like a repeat of last year's success could be on the horizon. Then, the franchise gotKyrie Irvingin a blockbuster trade.

After the trade, things did not go as well as the organization had probably hoped, and the team ended the season in 11th place in the West.

"Luka is one of the top 5 talents in the world. I feel like not being able to resign [Jalen] Brunson was huge," LeDay shared. "He's an All-NBA guard. I think they could have brought him back for 55 [million]. To not be able to get that done is very tragic, you know, he's an All-NBA guard. One of my good friends is Julius Randle, and he got the benefit of that."

Julius Randleis not only a good friend, LeDay says.

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