Tomas Satoransky reflects on EuroBasket 2025 as a likely farewell for Czech basketball’s golden generation. In an in-depth interview, he analyzes Serbia’s roster, discusses young talent, national team dynamics, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.
Tomas Satoransky has been the long-time leader of the Czech Republic's national team and also the country's most accomplished NBA product.
Tomas Satoransky
Tomas Satoransky
Position: PG
Age: 33
Height: 200 cm
Weight: 93 kg
Birth place: Prague, Czech Republic
At 33, he’s preparing to lead his country once again at EuroBasket 2025, in what may be the swan song for a generation that finished sixth at the 2019 FIBA World Cup and represented Czechia at the Tokyo Olympics.
Speaking to Meridian Sport, Satoransky acknowledged the moment's weight:
“Very likely. I can’t say with absolute certainty, but when you think about it — the next World Cup is in two years, the next EuroBasket in four. That’s a long time, and many of us are 34 or 35. This might be the last major tournament for our generation.”
“What’s crucial is that this tournament signals the arrival of the new generation. If we manage to achieve even modest success, it would be a meaningful way to say goodbye.”
A Tough Group and Familiar Faces
Drawn into a difficult Group A alongside Serbia, Latvia, Turkey, Estonia, and Portugal, the Czechs face an immediate test.
“The favorites are clearly Serbia, Latvia, and Turkey. Games against Estonia and Portugal will be decisive. Estonia’s been playing well recently — lots of their players came through the ACB League. I don’t know Portugal as well, but they played solidly in qualifying.”
Satoransky, who missed the last EuroBasket due to injury, is eyeing a reunion with Nikola Jokic and Bogdan Bogdanovic on September 1 in Riga.
“That 2019 game where Bogdan scored 31 was a good match. Serbia won by around ten. For me, Bogdan is the key player. Jokic may be the best player in the world, but things shift in national teams. Bogdan’s been the leader— he was incredible at the Olympics and other tournaments.”
With Jokic, Bogdanovic, Vasilije Micic, Nikola Milutinov, Filip Petrusev, Marko Guduric, and Nikola Jovic, Serbia is stacked.
“It’s incredibly hard to stop them. You have to sacrifice something. When Bogdan starts hot, he’s hard to slow. Jokic draws double-teams, and he’s a brilliant passer. Everyone around him moves well off the ball. Serbia’s strength is not just in names— it’s in how well they understand the game.”
Avramovic in the Shadows, Topic in the Spotlight
Serbia’s defensive ace Aleksa Avramovic might be tasked with shadowing Satoransky.
“Luckily, when he played for Partizan, he mostly guarded Laprovittola, not me. He brings amazing energy, always on you, in your head. He’ll be a huge asset. He had a great season with CSKA and with Micic brings balance.”
Asked about Nikola Topic, the teenage star on the verge of his NBA debut, Satoransky drew from his own journey:
“He handles pressure well. I watched him play against Fenerbahce for Zvezda— he was great. He did well in Summer League too. Time with the national team will expose him to a different kind of basketball. He’s got the potential, just needs patience. Being on a winning team will boost his confidence.”
On Kevin Punter and Naturalization
Satoransky spent last season with Kevin Punter, who holds a Serbian passport but remains ineligible due to Serbia’s firm stance against naturalized players.
“Honestly, Serbia’s never needed it. It’s one of the few countries — maybe Lithuania and Latvia too — that haven’t gone down that road. It shows real basketball tradition.”
“Kevin could definitely contribute — he knows the country, played three years there. But I don’t think the team would accept him. Not because of Kevin, just because it wouldn’t fit. And I don’t think he’d push for it either.”
The Czechs, too, have mostly resisted the trend. The lone exception was Blake Schilb, the former Crvena Zvezda player, who qualified through marriage.
“Blake was a special case — he had a Czech wife and three kids. It wasn’t forced. He fit right in and helped a lot, but I don’t see it happening again anytime soon.”
The Passing of the Torch
Missing Jan Vesely, Patrik Auda, David Jelinek, and Ondrej Balvin, the Czechs are forced to look inward and forward.
“We’ve got a lot of new faces. This is the first time outside the qualifying windows where we have time to really work. That old core played together for over a decade. Now’s the time for the next generation to take on real minutes.”
That next chapter may be led by Vit Krejci, a 24-year-old Atlanta Hawks guard.
“Vit’s grown a lot. I hadn’t seen him in a few years, and now he’s far more confident. He had a real role in the NBA. He knows he’s ‘the guy’ now— the only NBA player on the team. It brings pressure, but also opportunity.”
Still, there are concerns — especially at center.
“We miss Jan and Balvin, they made a huge difference. That will be hard to replace.”
Satoransky admits Vesely’s absence hits him hardest.
“We’ve played together since we were 14 — U16s, U18s, the senior team. Now I feel alone. But I understand his decision. He wasn’t healthy for the last four months and wants to focus on Barcelona. He’ll be missed — as a player and a leader.”
Emotions vs. Expectations
“Emotions can help or hurt — it depends how you channel them. For five or six of us, this is a chance to say goodbye or make one last stand. The first game will tell us a lot. We’ll also play a warm-up tournament against Serbia — maybe the best team in Europe. That’ll show us where we are.”
Satoransky and his generation have elevated Czech basketball’s status — but the game remains a niche sport back home.
“We’re not Serbia — basketball isn’t our top sport. But our results have started to shift public interest. People are more into it now, but it’s nothing like Serbia or Greece.”
Before heading off to national team duties, Satoransky took a moment to reflect on Jabari Parker, now joining Partizan:
“Jabari’s grown a lot. He embraced playing in Europe — that’s a big step. Now he has a new challenge under Zeljko. I think he’s ready to learn, and Partizan is a great opportunity.”
And about Devonte’ Graham, new signing forCrvena Zvezda:
“We played together for three or four months in New Orleans. He’s a great scorer from the point guard spot— that opens a lot of options. Good shooters make a difference. He’ll need time to adjust, but he’s got what it takes to be key for Zvezda.
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