Zach LeDay reflects on his deep bond with Partizan, his return to Milan, and the EuroLeague's evolution. He cherishes his time in Belgrade, but remains committed to helping Milan succeed in the EuroLeague playoffs.
Zach LeDay played a crucial role in helping Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade reclaim the ABA League title in 2023. During his three-year tenure in Belgrade, he built lasting friendships and solidified himself as one of the fan favorites.
In 2021, LeDay made a bold move from Milan to Partizan, a decision that he believes was pivotal for his career.
"Some things are related to business, but at the end of the day, Partizan was the best choice for my career," the American big man told the Timeout podcast.
Zach LeDay
| Team: |
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan |
| Position: | PF |
| Age: | 30 |
| Height: | 202 cm |
| Weight: | 106 kg |
| Birth place: | Dallas, United States of America |
"I built friendships in Partizan, I was coached by Zeljko Obradovic. There is no need to clarify who he is; everyone knows that he is the best of all time. I thought that I should come to Serbia because the best basketball in Europe is played there."
Now with EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, LeDay finds himself competing against his beloved former club for a spot in the EuroLeague playoffs. But Milan is a familiar place, since he first came there in 2019.
Reflecting on his growth as a player, LeDay sees a clear difference in himself from the time he left Milan to now:
"I can say that I am a different player and person. When I was in Milan for the first time, I was the youngest player in the team that played in the Final Four. With me in the team there were greats like Sergio Rodriguez, Kyle Hines, Gigi Datome...
We set the goal of playing in the Final Four and we worked on it every day. When I came to Partizan, I had to become a leader because we had a very young team. We took the club to the next level, and in three years as we were there, I think we succeeded in that."
Still, LeDay’s attachment to Partizan runs deep. He always played with passion and an unwavering commitment to the team and its supporters.
"I think coming to Serbia was a natural path for me because I have a similar mentality. I'm a great worker, I leave my heart on the court. That's my style, and it was a perfect combination. I left tears, sweat, and blood in Belgrade. There were many nights when I felt a lot of pressure because I wanted to do everything for my team and the fans," he reflected.
Despite now playing for Milan, he admits that facing Partizan is an emotional experience.
"It's strange. My blood is black and white, my family is black and white. We still talk about Partizan whenever we start talking about basketball, but at the end of the day, I will always go out on the court to compete."
As a seasoned EuroLeague player, LeDay has witnessed the evolution of the competition and appreciates the increased level of unpredictability this season.
"Everybody says it's a strange season, but for me, it's always the same because the accounts are settled at the end," he said.
"The players and coaches are looking for a way to make the playoffs. It's good when you have Paris that showed up and shocked the whole EuroLeague and forced it to adjust in a way.
It makes the league better when there are new teams that compete. The league is growing; it's not always the same teams at the top, and that's why the EuroLeague is the best league outside the NBA," he argued.
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