After three seasons with the Indiana Pacers, in which he appeared in a total of 62 games, the 25-year-old Slovenian has started 36 of Charlotte's first 38 games (missing only two games due to injury or illness) and is second on the team in scoring (12.4 ppg) and rebounding (5.9 rpg).

His season totals of 445 points and 212 rebounds with the Bobcats more than triple his career output with the Pacers, for whom he scored 113 points and grabbed 62 rebounds.

Brezec was available to Charlotte in the Expansion Selection because Indiana made the decision to protect Reggie Miller, arguably the greatest player in franchise history, over the 7-foot-1 center.

“That’s a franchise guy with 17 years in the league,” said Brezec about Miller. “A big-time player and a great guy. So, you’re going to protect me instead of him?

“I’m glad that I’m in Charlotte. Indiana actually did me a favor by leaving me unprotected in the Expansion Selection. This is a new opportunity and it’s the best thing that ever happened in my life.”

Brezec’s journey to Charlotte actually began as a youngster when he would watch his father’s team in his native Slovenia.

“(My father) was a basketball player when I was a little kid,” said Brezec after a recent practice. “On Saturdays, he would have a game and I would go to the game to watch him play, so that’s how I got started. When he would be having practice, I would be on the side baskets shooting.”

Brezec joined his first team at the age of seven, which is the earliest you can play on a team in his country. He started playing for the Slovenian National Team as a 15-year-old and worked his way through all the categories up to junior and senior. Brezec spent three seasons (1998-2001) with the nation’s top pro team, Olimpija Ljubljana, winning two league titles and three national cups.

After his second season with Olimpija Ljubljana, Brezec came overseas to work out for NBA teams.

“It was not really a decision to enter the NBA,” said Brezec. “I came over to work out for a couple teams and then worked out for like 15 teams. I played in the Chicago pre-draft camp and it went well for me, so I entered the draft and went in the first round.”

Brezec was selected by Indiana with the 27th overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft, but went back to Slovenia to continue playing for Olimpija Ljubljana because he had three seasons remaining on his contract. He played there for one more year before the Pacers bought out his contract.

With Indiana, Brezec was stuck on a team vying for a spot in the NBA Finals with experienced players such as Jermaine O’Neal and Brad Miller, both All-Stars, ahead of him in the rotation.

“It was a great experience playing around great players like Jermaine O’Neal and Reggie Miller,” said Brezec. “Working out with all those guys every day, working with real professionals, I improved. But I have always said a player can’t improve unless he gets to play. I made a lot of friends there, but the main reason I came to the league was to play basketball. That is what I have here in Charlotte.”

With the Bobcats, Brezec has quickly become known for his work ethic and a high-post game that is the perfect complement for the inside game of power forward Emeka Okafor.

“There is none equal in terms of his work ethic,” said Bobcats General Manager & Head Coach Bernie Bickerstaff. “Primoz gives us a chance to space the floor, being able to play at the high post and make shots. I think he matches up well with our other bigs because he can create space for them. He’s a good passer and he’s going to get you rebounds just on hustle.”

Brezec is a student of the game and understands that it’s doing all the little things that adds up to a team victory.

“I don’t see basketball as you have to score points,” said Brezec. “Some nights you don’t score, but you have to contribute to the team. You have to play good defense. You have to help your teammates and try to win the game.”

Brezec also realizes that sometimes it’s the work you do off the court that makes a difference. He can often be found after practice surfing the Internet, staying on top of NBA happenings.

“If you’re in this league, you’ve got to follow what’s going on – like if a team signs another player,” said Brezec. “I’ve got NBA League Pass, so I can prepare for the next opponent we play. You have to get ready for every game and know the guy you are guarding and his best moves and strengths.”

Brezec’s efforts in his first season in Charlotte have grabbed the attention of the national media. A recent USA Today article touted him as a candidate for the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award.

Now with extensive playing time for the first time in his NBA career and a new three-year contract extension signed with the Bobcats, Brezec is excited about taking the next step in his life. His wife, Nada, gave birth to the couple’s first child on December 28 in Charlotte.

Brezec found out that his wife was in labor at the hospital just before the team’s game at Washington on December 27. He was able to play in the game and then get back to Charlotte in time for the delivery of his daughter, Nika, who weighed in at eight pounds and 19 1/2 inches.

“It was the most amazing thing I’ve ever been through,” said Brezec. “I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to be there, but it means so much to me that I was there. It is such an incredible feeling.”

Since the birth of his child, Brezec has taken his game to new levels on the court. Over the last nine games, he has scored in double figures eight times, including the last five straight. His averages have increased to 15.0 points and 6.3 rebounds, while shooting 55.2 percent (58-of-105) from the field.

For Primoz Brezec, the last eight months have definitely been a blessing.

by Bo Hussey, BobcatsBasketball.com
Posted: January 26, 2005