Philadelphia 76ers draftee Filip Petrusev has signed a one-year contract to play the 2022-23 season with Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade, Serbia, the team announced.
Petrusev, who was the 50th pick in 2021, averaged 8.9 points and 3.3 rebounds in 35 games last season with Anadolu Efes between the Turkish League and EuroLeague in Istanbul, Turkey. He played with KK Mega Basket the previous season, earning MVP honors.
The 22-year-old was with the 76ers last year in the Las Vegas Summer League and again this year. He averaged 5.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, one assist and one steal on 53.3% shooting in five games during his most recent appearance.
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Prior to playing professionally, Petrusev attended the Montverde Academy and spent two seasons with Gonzaga. He was named the 2019-20 West Coast Conference Player of the Year after averaging 17.5 points and 7.9 rebounds while shooting 56.2% from the field.
Petrusev, who was born in Belgrade, also participated last year with Serbia during the Olympic qualifying tournament, averaging 15.5 points and five rebounds prior to losing to Italy in the final. He finished fifth in scoring among all players in that tournament.
He expressed interest in playing with the Sixers next season but instead signed with Crvena Zvezda, likely due to the lack of opportunity in the frontcourt. He is hopeful that another season overseas will prepare him to make the transition to the NBA.
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