NBA teams have reportedly eyed former Louisville Cardinals star Carlik Jones since helping South Sudan qualify for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. But the 6-foot point guard decided to join with Serbian club KK Partizan.
Jones, known for his offensive prowess, was sensational in an exhibition game against Team USA on July 20 as a warmup to the Olympics. Jones recorded the first-ever triple-double as South Sudan nearly pulled off the biggest upset, falling to the Americans 101-100. He finished the contest with 15 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, and a +14 plus/minus rating despite shooting just 7 of 21 from the field.
Marc Stein reported, via his substack, following the performance against the USA, that NBA teams had until July 25 to choose him before his contract with Partizan Belgrade in Serbia went into effect.
Obviously, an NBA team didn’t sign the 26-year-old, but it wasn’t from a lack of trying.
“There were a few offers from the NBA, but not as many as reported, Jones told Eurohoops.net. “Many people were worried and nervous, but you shouldn’t believe everything that is written. It’s true that I received some offers, but I knew from the beginning that Partizan was the ideal club for me. It seemed like the best decision.”
The 2023 G-League MVP also played a few games for Dallas and Denver in 2021-22.
Olympic Star Explains Why He Rebuffed NBA Offers To Sign With EuroLeague Team
So why was KK Partizan the place for him?
“They told me how much they respect my game, I had several conversations about my role, what I should expect from the team, but also what they expect from me. “For me, it came out of nowhere, I did not expect Partizan’s invitation, I was a free agent, and that’s when you don’t know what kind of offers you’ll get. It’s up to you to work your way up and hope that an invitation like this comes. And I’m glad it did. ”
In eight FIBA International games (World Cup and Olympics), Jones compiled 19.5 points and 1.6 3-pointers with shooting splits of 47.2%/37.1%/78.3%. Jones also totaled 9.4 assists, 4.9 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 2.4 turnovers. He produced four double-doubles and scored in double-figures in seven of eight contests, topping the 20-point mark three times.
Jones, who went undrafted in 2021, appeared in a dozen games with three different NBA clubs from 2021-2023. He signed a multi-year deal with Chicago in 2023 but was waived before training camp because the Bulls had a crowded backcourt. He ended up in China with the Zhejiang Chouzhang of the CBA.
KK Partizan Belgrade
KK Partizan is one of the best clubs in the ABA League. Last year, Partizan finished second in the league with a 20-6 record and reached the finals, where they were swept by Crevena Zvezda 3-0. Partizan finished as runners-up for the fourth time and second in the last three years. They also have won the ABA seven times, which ties Crevena Zvezda for most, with the last time being in 2023.
Partizan has one EuroLeague title but that was back in 1992. Partizan went 16-18 in EuroLeague play last season, missing the play-in tournament by one game.
This will be Partizan’s third straight year in the EuroLeague. They didn’t qualify for the event from 2015 to 2022.
Jones is one of 14 newcomers to Partizan’s 2024-25 squad. 20220 first-round pick Aleksej Pokusevski, German Olympian Isaac Bonga, Sterling Brown, Duane Washington Jr., Frank Ntilikina, Gabriel Lundberg, and Brandon Davies also played in the NBA.
Jones is slated to start at point guard. What is coach Zeljko Obradovic, who has led his team to nine EuroLeague championships, advice to Jones?
“He told me to be who I am, a true point guard and leader. To lead the team on both sides of the floor, to make my teammates better. Nothing less, nothing more. He assured me that he has no intention of changing anything in to my game,”
