Czech guard Tomas Satoransky discusses the Serbian national team’s stance on naturalized players, Kevin Punter, Jabari Parker, and Devonte Graham, and their potential impact in European basketball.
Last season in Barcelona, Tomas Satoransky didn’t have any Serbian teammates, but he did share the locker room and the court with one player holding a Serbian passport – former Partizan captain, Kevin Punter. In theory, he could represent Serbia as a naturalized player, if Serbia weren’t one of the rare countries that has never opted for such a solution.
“Honestly, Serbia has never even needed that, which says enough about its quality and tradition. It’s probably among the last teams that have never done it – maybe also Lithuania and Latvia. That shows it’s a true basketball nation. And I think it should stay that way.”
On the other hand, he doesn’t doubt that Punter could contribute with his quality, but…
“I think he could play, he knows the country, played there for three years, knows European basketball, adapts quickly. But I don’t think the players on the team would accept him. Not because there’s anything wrong with Kevin, but it simply wouldn’t fit. I don’t think he would push for it either.”
Czech Republic also doesn’t have naturalized players in its ranks. In fact, it has only used that option once, when it included former Crvena Zvezda player, Blake Schilb, in the national team. He left a deep mark, wearing the national jersey in three major tournaments.
“Blake was an exception. He had a Czech wife, three kids. Nothing was forced. The opportunity arose, we used it, and it turned out he was a great addition to the team. But I don’t think something like that will happen again any time soon.”
Before Satoransky had to return to his national team duties, we took the chance to briefly touch on the club scene. For the past two years, he was teammates with Jabari Parker, who will be wearing the Partizan jersey next season.
“Jabari has progressed a lot. He accepted playing in Europe, and that’s already a big step. Now he faces a new challenge – playing for a coach like Zeljko. I think he’s ready to learn and Partizan gives him a great opportunity.”
While playing in the NBA, specifically with the New Orleans Pelicans, he also met the new Crvena Zvezda addition, Devonte Graham, who will play in Europe for the first time.
“We played together for three or four months. Great scorer from the point guard position, which opens up a lot of options. A good shooter always makes a difference and opens up the court. He’ll need a bit of time to adapt, but he has everything it takes to be an important player for Zvezda,” concluded Tomas Satoransky in a conversation with Meridian Sport.
Read more:
EUROLEAGUE ROSTERS 2025/2026: All moves & signings in one place (UPDATED DAILY)
EUROLEAGUE ROSTERS: The most prestigious European competition brings plenty of exciting transfers. Follow all the moves in one place.
There will be no club basketball played during July and August, but that doesn’t mean the clubs will be inactive. Basketball Sphere brings you all the updates from every EuroLeague team.
In addition to players currently under contract, you can check at any moment who has left the team, whose contract has expired, and who might be on the move.
The new EuroLeague season will begin on September 30, and until then, we’ll see what kind of rosters each team will enter the competition with
Up To 100 €/$ Welcome Bonus
Up To 100 €/$ Welcome Bonus
Up To 122 €/$ Welcome Bonus
Up To 122 €/$ Welcome Bonus
Up To 200 €/$ Welcome Bonus