After a finishing the season healthy, Charlotte’s forward Aleksej Pokusevski hopes to be able to join the Serbia NT this summer for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Serbian forward was not able to be in the national team selection during the last four years and he still hasn’t made a debut with Serbia’s first team.
“I have a great desire to play for the national team and I hope that I will be able to fight for a place in it,” Pokusevski told Mozzart Sport in a recent interview. That is of course a question for the coach, but I have a great desire and will do my best to be there.”
Pokusevski’s career was plugged by injuries during his first four seasons in the NBA. However, his latest decision to join the Charlotte Hornets had a positive impact as the young forward seemed to have found the right place to show his skill alongside fellow Serbia international Vasilije Micic.
Both players took the same route, starting the season in OKC and moving to Charlotte where they shined together in the latter part of the season.
“I am grateful that I had him by my side every day during the difficult moments where he influenced me with his advice and experience, which is great.”
Pokusevski showed what he’s capable of in Charlotte
Pokusevski entered the NBA as a very raw talent, but he was able to curve out a role in the rebuilding OKC Thunder. That said, injuries during the last two seasons were a deciding factor in the agreement to part ways with the Thunder.
During his first months in Charlotte, the 23-years-old forward showed glimpses of his talent after appearing in just 10 games in OKC. In 18 appearances with the Hornets, Poku averaged 7.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 19 minutes per contest.
With the Hornets keeping building the young roster and searching for a new head coach, Pokusevski hopes that he can reach his potential in Charlotte and become an NBA starter-level player going forward.
