Carlik Jones discusses a crushing loss against Zalgiris Kaunas, reveals Zeljko Obradovic's message after the game, and evaluates Partizan's and his own EuroLeague season.

Credit: Dainius Lukšta
Credit Dainius Lukšta

Zalgiris Kaunas crushed Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade's hopes of making the EuroLeague Play-In tournament.

Player of the Game
Alen  Smailagic
EFF
16
Alen Smailagic
Points 14
Accuracy 5-6
Rebounds 4
Assists 1

In a tough battle, Partizan prevailed 66-70, despite Carlik Jones' effort.

Jones finished the game with 23 points (7/13 2PT, 1/4 3PT, 6/6 FT), 4 assists, 2 rebounds, and 18 PIR in 32 minutes of action.

"It's been a tough season for us, with a lot of ups and downs," Jones revealed to BasketNews after the game. "One thing I've learned about being here is just about fighting."

Partizan guard also revealed what head coach Zeljko Obradovic told the team after a crucial loss.

"He was just telling us

Edvinas Jablonskis
Edvinas Jablonskis began his basketball coverage career in 2017. Starting as a Daily Writer for BasketNews.lt, he steadily climbed the ranks and became a Daily Editor for BasketNews.com in 2021, a position he continues to hold. Over the years, Jablonskis has covered multiple EuroLeague Final Fours and international tournaments, including the FIBA EuroBasket, FIBA Basketball World Cup, and FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
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Zalgiris Kaunas
Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade
41%
24/59
Field goals
41%
21/51
39
Rebounds
28
12
Assists
14
4
Steals
3
13
Turnovers
10
20%
5/25
3-pointers
29%
5/17

Best players

Sylvain  Francisco
15 PTS
6/16 FG
2/2 FT
Carlik  Jones
23 PTS
8/17 FG
6/6 FT
Ignas  Brazdeikis
8 REB
7 DREB
1 OREB
Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade
Few players
6 REB
Ignas  Brazdeikis
5 As
4 TO
31 MIN
Carlik  Jones
4 As
3 TO
32 MIN
Alen  Smailagic
16 EFF
80% 2P%
100% 3P%
Carlik  Jones
18 EFF
54% 2P%
25% 3P%

BC Dubai's participation in the EuroLeague is highly likely and widely expected, but it still requires formal approval by the EuroLeague teams. Meanwhile, several clubs, including Belgrade teams Partizan and Crvena Zvezda, have received initial offer conditions, with the €5 million bid for a three-year license serving as a starting point that remains open for negotiation, per BasketNews sources.

Credit: BasketNews illustration
Credit BasketNews illustration

The EuroLeague's three-year licensing process has become a major talking point in recent days, sparking strong reactions.

Partizan president Ostoja Mijailovic voiced his frustration, arguing that despite his club boasting the highest average home attendance and ranking among the most-watched teams on EuroLeague broadcasts, they would receive neither an ownership stake nor a share of TV and marketing revenues.

He deemed this unfair, particularly given how EuroLeague frequently markets itself using Serbian basketball experiences.

All teams applying for a three-year license must pay a fee. BasketNews sources report that the initial asking price is €5 million in total (approximately €1.7 million annually).

However, this figure is not set in stone.

BasketNews sources also confirm that three-year license offers have not been extended solely to Partizan, Crvena Zvezda, and Virtus Bologna – as previously reported – but also include other teams such as

Comments:
Great article but can you explain how this makes sense? If you expand to 20 teams and start 12 A license, 7 B license and the EC champ, you are, as you mentioned, locked in for the next 3 years except for another expansion. But in this scenario, there'd be no way for CSKA to return into their "rightful" 13th A license slot and an EC champ couldn't defend its starting right by making the playoffs like Monaco did the last couple of seasons. Therefore, they'd know they're out after one season and won't put an effort into putting together an actual competitive EL roster since it has to be gutted down for the EC the year after anyways. Wouldn't it be much smarter for everyone involved to have at maximum 6 B licenses, and compensate by handing out another one year wildcard as long as CSKA doesn't return or no EC champ makes it to the playoffs.

Thanks for your articles and insights
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