Like former Gonzaga Bulldog teammate Drew Timme, who was given a two-year contract with the Brooklyn Nets before, Filip Petrusev wants a second chance at the NBA. The 6-11 Serbian appeared in three NBA games for Philadelphia and Sacramento in 2023-24 before landing back overseas. After being waived by the Kings in Novemember 2023, he signed a three-year deal with Greek club Olympiacos.
“I would like to return to the NBA as soon as possible,” Petrusev told Serbian media outlet Sportski Zurnal. “It is always better, for everyone and for me in particular, to go there early than to try to do it in my last years of career. I was not lucky in Philadelphia. As soon as I started playing, I was traded, and everything fell apart. Now I have regained my self-confidence, and I believe that I deserve a second chance!”
Former Gonzaga Big Man Believes He “Deserves A Second Chance In NBA” After 2 Year European Stint
Petrusev is a well-traveled young pro. He started his basketball journey signing with Spanish basketball club Sasaki Baskonia’s youth program. He participated in the 2015 U16 FIBA Europe Championshop for Serbia before heading to the U.S. for high school.
A consensus four-star recruit, Petrusev chose to attend Gonzaga after de-committing from Hartford. Petrusev spent two years at Gonzaga, earning 2020 WCC POY honors, before turning professional and signing with Mega Baskets in Belgrade, Serbia. He led the ABA in scoring and was named the league’s top prospect and MVP in his lone season for Mega Baskets.
The Philadelphia 76ers selected Petrusev with the No. 50 overall pick in 2021. While Petrusev played for the 2021 76ers summer league team, the Sixers stashed him overseas. He ultimately signed a one-year deal with Turkish Club Anadolu Efes.
Petrosev then did the same song and dance with 76ers in the summer of 2022. After playing for the Sixers summer league club, Philadelphia once again decided against bringing the big man over. So, Petrusev returned to Serbia and joined KK Crvena Zvevsda.
Petrosev once again played for Philadelphia’s 2023 summer league squad. This time, the 76ers decided to ink him to a multi-year deal in July. But he only saw three minutes of action in one appearance for the Sixers before being dealt to Los Angeles as part of the James Harden trade. The Clippers immediately dealt Petrusev to the Kings for the rights to Luka Mitrovic.
Filip Petrusev Wants To Return To NBA
Petrusev played two games for Sacramento before being released by the Kings. A few days later, he signed his deal with Olympiacos.
Petrusev was a significant part of Olympiacos rotation last year. While his overall numbers weren’t great for Olympiacos, he performed better during league player than during Euroleague competition.
Petrusev began the 2024-25 season with Olympiacos but has since been loaned back to KK Crvena Zvevsda. He has played well for Crvena Zvevsda, being a part-time starter, with four games left.
In 55 appearances for Crvena Zvevsda, Petrusev averages 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists over 21 minutes a game. Petrusev, who has played exceptionally well as a starter, has produced 23 double-doubles while shooting .573/.295/.723 on the season. Twelve of his double-doubles have come in 23 Euroleague contests.
Last Word
Petrusev is the epitome of the modern-day big man. He is not an elite scorer, but he is very efficient around the rim and fantastic in pick-n-pop situations. His shooting can stretch the floor and is a terrific passer. However, rebounding is his specialty, though his defense is a bit of a concern.
Despite being under contract with Olympiacos for one more year, expect Petrusev to garner attention from NBA teams this summer. The league is always looking for talented big men, which is precisely what Petrusev is, and he has an NBA opt-out. That doesn’t mean that he will find a team this season. Although I give him a 60% chance of playing in the NBA this upcoming campaign, I don’t expect a deal to be made until August, when the teams have a better idea of their roster.
Photo Credit © Rob Schumacher, Imagn Images
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