Vasiljevic slams Sydney "villain" treatment

Thursday, October 19, 2023

DJ Vasiljevic has taken aim at the Sydney Kings' treatment of both himself and the 36ers following his signing with the club.

Photo via Adelaide 36ers.

The Sydney Kings have forged a recent reputation of playing up to the role of ‘villains’ in the NBL, but new Adelaide signing DJ Vasiljevic says his former club has attempted to paint both him and the 36ers in a bad light following his signing.

The Kings initially released Vasiljevic from his contract to allow him to chase opportunities overseas, but since relinquished his rights to allow him to sign with Adelaide for the remainder of NBL24.

In a statement released by the club, Kings CEO Chris Pongrass stated the club was “disappointed with how this has been handled and another NBL team’s role in the process”.

“They made me look like the villain, they made Adelaide look like the villain, honestly I’m trying to be the bigger man and walk away from it,” Vasiljevic said of his former club.

“There’s more to it than people think and I’m going to leave it at that.

“I don’t think we play them until January, so I’m not actually worried about that right now. I’m worried about South East and Perth coming into Adelaide. The guys had a good win against Illawarra and we just have to keep rolling with that momentum.”

Vasiljevic’s return to the NBL has come after a whirlwind few months with the Washington Wizards. After lighting up the NBA Summer League with the NBA side, Vasiljevic signed an Exhibit 10 training contract with them.

He was then waived just days before training camp, and has returned to the NBL rather than represent the Wizards’ G-League affiliate in the hopes of progressing his Boomers Olympic claims.

“I think I just didn’t get the chance in Washington. I was told I was going to go into training camp, got waived two days before and had a whole big discussion with my family and my management around what we thought was best for me,” Vasiljevic said.

“I think this is the right move to come back to the NBL, and with the Olympics coming up next year I want to prove that I should be in that squad.

“I’m in good shape – probably the best I’ve been for a long time.

“I think I’m right there, I just need to prove myself a little bit more and we’ll see what happens. We’ve got a couple of FIBA windows coming up and I’ll do my diligence and make sure I put my hand up always to represent the green and gold – it’s always an honour."

Vasiljevic remains a chance to make his Adelaide debut on Thursday night against South East Melbourne. The game begins at 7:30pm AEDT live on ESPN via Kayo Sports.