“A whole different ball game”: Vasiljevic eager for Euro test

DJ Vasiljevic is more excited than most to come up against two of Europe’s biggest clubs in September’s Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament.

From a proud Serbian family, the Adelaide 36ers captain is looking forward to testing himself against EuroLeague champion Panathinaikos BC AKTOR of Greece and KK Partizan of Serbia.

While his family is split between supporting Serbia’s two biggest clubs, rivals Red Star (Crvena Zvezda) and Partizan, they’ll put their allegiances aside to support Vasiljevic and the 36ers.

“In my family it’s all split between Red Star and Partizan and I just sit somewhere in the middle,” Vasiljevic smiles.

“100 per-cent my Mum, Dad and sister will come (to the games) and there’s a big Serbian community (in Australia) who will travel.

 “We're playing in Sydney so there’ll be 20,000 seats sold out. There'll be people hanging from the roof potentially, so it'll be a great atmosphere.”

The passion of the fans in Europe was no more evident than when 12,000 people turned out in full voice to support Panathinaikos at a recent open training session.

“When you talk to people who played in Europe and are now in the NBA like Nikola Jokic or people who are playing there now, they just talk about how crazy the atmosphere is both in the basketball setting but also soccer setting,” Vasiljevic explained.

“It's just a whole different ball game. The fans are so passionate they bleed the same colour as the club and all they want is success.

“In Australia I guess were’ a bit more calm and laid back but I'm excited to experience some of that when we face these sides.”

Vasiljevic paid tribute to the NBL for having the initiative to lure huge global sides to Australia in 2025.

“You’ve got to credit Larry (Kestelman) and Nikola (Milivojevic) at the NBL for what they've done,” he said.

“Obviously they’re not just bringing out two European giants, but we’ve also got the New Orleans Pelicans coming the following month so it's an exciting time for the game of basketball here in Australia and obviously we the Adelaide 36ers get to experience games against two of the best clubs in the world.”

While the NBL26 Fixture is yet to be released, the Adelaide 36ers have set about recruiting a number of new players.

So far the side has brought in some local quality in Isaac White and Michael Harris along with the talented Flynn Cameron.

It’s a fresh and exciting line-up and Vasiljevic says playing two of the best sides in Europe will be a great early season test.

“We’ll get some pre-season games in and the NBL Blitz and then we’ll be playing against these teams,” the captain said.

“We’ll have five or six games against good opposition to kind of prep us for all the season.

“But it’s great to be part of something exciting and see where we stack up against EuroLeague players.”

Pre-registration for tickets is now open, with those who sign up early given priority access on Friday, 16 May. General public tickets will go on sale on Monday 19 May.

The Adelaide 36ers have also organised travel packages for supporters who want to get to Sydney.