Filip Petrusev

Filip Petrusev's Biography

Filip Petrushev, known for his professional prowess in basketball, was born on April 15, 2000, in Belgrade, Serbia, FR Yugoslavia. From his early life, Petrushev displayed a keen interest in sports and started his athletic pursuits with prominent Serbian basketball teams Crvena zvezda and Partizan. As a middle schooler in 2014, he reached a height of over 2.00 meters, which enhanced his basketball capabilities and facilitated his signing with the youth system of the Spanish club Saski Baskonia (Laboral Kutxa).

Petrushev embarked on a new life adventure, leaving his home behind and moving to Vitoria-Gasteiz in the Basque Country. He resided with other foreign players in the club-provided house with a house cook, balancing his education and basketball training sessions. Sustained hard work exerted with coach Iñaki Iriarte [es] resulted in polished skills, particularly in the post footwork and practice of the hook shot.

In 2015, Petrushev fortified his niche in basketball. He was chosen by the coach, Vladimir Đokić, for the under-16 Serbian national team for the 2015 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship in Kaunas. Nonetheless, Petrushev decided to sever ties with Saski Baskonia in, 2016 to continue his education while pursuing his passion for basketball.

In 2016, he advanced to the Serbia under-16 national team for the 2016 U16 European Championship. Simultaneously, he attended Avon Old Farms, an all-boys boarding school in Avon, Connecticut where he faced his fair share of hardships, including initial disappointment at the disorganized basketball structure and his foot injury. Nonetheless, Petrushev exhibited resilience and soon adapted to the different style of play, picking up a liking for its rapid pace and emphasis on athleticism, aspects unfamiliar to him at Baskonia or the Serbia under-16 national team.

His transfer to Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, in 2017 boosted his basketball career as he joined the ranks of multiple NBA players. Committed to continually refine his skills, Petrushev attended the Basketball Without Borders Europe Camp in Netanya, Israel. Throughout his journey, he transformed as a player, fostering an inside-outside style and bulking up to complement his unique approach.

In 2017, after announcing his commitment to Gonzaga, Petrushev officially signed with the Gonzaga Bulldogs. As a freshman, his commendable performance earned him a spot in the West Coast Conference (WCC) All-Freshman Team. Despite facing injuries, he persevered and was named the WCC player of the year following the regular season.

Petrushev declared for the 2020 NBA draft, but subsequently withdrew his name from consideration and instead embarked on his professional career with the Mega Soccerbet of the Basketball League of Serbia. There, he received accolades including ABA League October MVP, ABA League MVP, ABA League Top Prospect, and ABA League Top Scorer for the 2020–21 season.

Moving forward, in August 2021, he joined the Philadelphia 76ers for the NBA Summer League. Despite limited opportunities resulting in him signing with Crvena zvezda, Petrushev celebrated the experience for its invaluable professional growth. Eventually, he signed a three-year contract with Olympiacos of the Greek Basketball League and the EuroLeague in November 2023, returning to Crvena zvezda as a loan for a season.

Petrushev’s international achievements include participation in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, where Serbia clinched a silver medal. His performance and incredible contributions to the Serbia men’s national basketball team earned him a bronze medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

His younger brother, David, followed in his footsteps to enjoy a flourishing basketball career, representing the Serbia national under-17 team at the 2018 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup. Petrushev’s remarkable journey serves as an inspiration and a testament to his enduring passion, resilience, and utmost commitment to basketball.