When you get a first chance to do something you’ve always wanted, it’s a memorable moment. If your whole being is invested into the endeavor, and you work and sacrifice to achieve your goal, the reward is all the sweeter.

Kosta Perovic, the Golden State Warriors rookie center, handled his recent NBA debut at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee with a perfect shooting line, a touch of nonchalance and veteran savvy earned in the European pro leagues. 

Not bad for a guy about to turn 23.

“It was a nice feeling,” he shared. “I waited so long and it was exciting. It’s a different path for everyone to get to the top. I spent some time in the D-League, and now I’m back and so glad to be with these guys. I played that first game, and it was a wonderful experience. I hope I’m going to get some more minutes in future games. 

“But I didn’t feel I was under any pressure,” he added. “I was relaxed. It was just really, really good to get in, and a great experience for me.”

And the Warriors. Perovic’s 4 points, 6 rebounds and one blocked shot in six minutes gave his team a much-needed boost off the bench, keeping the Warriors in the game until the starters ran away with the win in the second half, 119-99 against the Bucks on Saturday night, Jan. 19.

“Kosta came in and really saved us,” head coach Don Nelson said.

Two years ago, Perovic was a can’t-miss big man out of Serbia with soft hands, top-10 talent with a huge wingspan, and the capability of becoming an NBA center to be reckoned with.  An injury-filled 2004-2005 season slowed his momentum and soured scouts on his progress; however, Warriors’ general manager Chris Mullin had been scouting Europe extensively, and recognized the big man’s potential, selecting the 7-foot-2, 240-pound giant with the No. 38 pick in the 2006 draft.  

“Young, athletic bigs – that’s where we were looking,” Mullin said. “We were really focused on players that can come in and rebound, come in and block shots and develop on the low block.” 

Perovic spent last season leading his renowned Serbian club team, Partizan Belgrade, to its fourth Serbian League championship as well as a title in the Adriatic League. Partizan is one of the best basketball schools in Europe, developing top NBA talent including Vlade Divac, and is still well-known for grooming young players. Perovic averaged 12 points and 5.4 rebounds last season during league play.

Financially, Perovic could have done better overseas. Top clubs, including Spain’s Unicaja Malaga and CSKA Moscow, sought him, but that’s not where he wanted to be. 

There are now seven Serbs currently playing in the NBA, trailing only France with eight for most players in the league.

“There is a great basketball tradition in Serbia of good work being done with the younger potential. We are paying attention to player development. Basketball to us is like football to the Europeans – it’s our number one sport,” declared Perovic. 

“We have a history of winning world championships with the national team along with European championships.”  

Not bad for a country of 9 million people.

Perovic also spent two summers training at the Athletes’ Performance Center in Carson, Ca., and continued the program on his own this off-season at the Warriors’ practice facility in Oakland, improving both mobility and conditioning.

Regardless of his many travels, this Feb. 19 will be the first birthday that Perovic celebrates away from home. On the day he turns 23, Perovic will be with the Warriors in Utah to play the Jazz.

“There’s nothing to do in Salt Lake City, so I’ll grab some friends and go out to eat. When I was in the D-League last year, we spent Christmas Day in Boise, Idaho, and that wasn’t so good. Two weeks later I was back with the Warriors,” he recalled with a heartfelt smile.

He’s not only warmer and happier in the NBA, but the young guy is a millionaire to boot. The Warriors signed Perovic to a two-year deal worth $3.5 million.

Despite, or because of, the violence and war in Serbia during most of Perovic’s childhood in the early 90s, his parents, 6-foot-4 Velimir and 6-foot Jelena, steered him into a basketball school when he was 10. His father played professional club soccer in Yugoslavia, and Perovic played both sports until basketball became his focus. He was a member of the Yugoslav Cadets National Team that won the gold medal at the 2001 European Cadets Championship. Perovic has been a member of the Yugoslav junior national team and the Serbia and Montenegro under-20 national team. He also played at the 2006 World Championship.

Perovic is not all hoops, though, enjoying the camaraderie of fellow, early-20-something teammates: Marco Belinelli (21), Andris Biedrins (21), Monta Ellis (22), Patrick O’Bryant (21), and Brandan Wright (20). 

“It’s nice being with the young guys – they can understand you. You can talk it over with them about their experience. Even though we all come from different places, we have similar situations.” 

With Perovic’s youth come growing pains, and the Warriors would like to see the young center add some bulk to his slender frame. 

“I need to improve my body and get a little stronger,” Perovic acknowledged. “For big guys it’s difficult to grow up that fast. The small guys are finished with their body development earlier than the big guys. So, I’m doing my best to get stronger.” 

Andris Biedrins is a revelation for the Warriors this season at the center position, but the Warriors’ lack of success in the post has been an Achilles’ heel in the past. With the addition and development of Kosta Perovic, the team has a chance to solidify the spot for years to come. His work is cut out for him in the deep talent pool of the Western Conference, but Perovic doesn’t seem the type to let opportunities pass by.

“My goals are to become a better player and help my national team win when the time comes, but first and foremost be a part of the success we are having here in Golden State.”  

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