Shake Milton Struggles at Partizan Belgrade Before Joining Hapoel Jerusalem

Shake Milton joined Partizan Belgrade with high expectations but struggled throughout his first European season due to multiple injuries and adaptation challenges. Nemanja Jovanovic, coach of Serbia's U20 national team who knows Milton from their time at SMU, explained that injuries severely impacted Milton's performance. Milton suffered a series of setbacks, including an early injury, a broken leg, and a knee issue, which prevented him from finding his rhythm. Jovanovic also noted the difficulty Milton faced adjusting to European basketball's different rules and style of play during his rookie season.

After Partizan decided not to renew his contract, Milton signed with Hapoel Jerusalem, seeking a fresh start. Jovanovic expressed hope that the move to Israel would help Milton regain his form and fulfill his potential. Milton arrives in Jerusalem with seven NBA seasons under his belt, having played for teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, and Los Angeles Lakers. He aims to prove that his struggles in Serbia were due to circumstances rather than a decline in ability.