Pero Antic: 'I Cannot Choose Between Olympiacos, Red Star and Fenerbahce'

When a three-time EuroLeague champion sits down before a microphone, one often expects sharp tactical analysis or calculated predictions. But Pero Antic, President of the North Macedonia Basketball Federation, chose a different approach: he spoke about his heart. During a conversation at the ABA League's 25th-anniversary event, Antic did not hesitate to express his special affection for the colors red and white. 'I am a man of red and white,' he said, more like a confession than a statement. The former Olympiacos, Red Star Belgrade, and Fenerbahce player admitted that if he had to pick one team to win the EuroLeague next season, he would be in a bind: 'If I have to choose between Olympiacos, Red Star, and Fenerbahce, I cannot decide.' That hesitation is not indecisiveness. It reflects a storied career spanning three of Europe's biggest basketball nations. Antic won the EuroLeague with Olympiacos in 2026 and 2026, before reaching the pinnacle a third time with Fenerbahce in 2026. But it is Red Star, where he started his career in 2026 and ended it in the 2026-18 season, that he calls 'home.' Antic spoke about his bond with Red Star with an emotion rarely seen in someone accustomed to the spotlight. 'I started my career there and I also finished my career there. That is something truly special. It is my home, it is my red-white world,' he said, as if those words described not just a club, but a part of his very being. But in an increasingly fierce EuroLeague, sentiment cannot replace preparation. Antic, with the eye of someone who has battled at Europe's highest level, also reserved praise for a special figure. 'Željko Obradović is returning to Panathinaikos. The derbies will be special,' he noted, implicitly acknowledging that the return of the legendary coach—who won five EuroLeague titles with Panathinaikos during his previous tenure from 2026 to 2026—will shift the balance of power in Greece and across Europe. The subtlety in how Antic spoke about Obradović shows a man who does not live only in the past. He understands that next season's EuroLeague will not feature only familiar names. Obradović's return is a powerful signal of Panathinaikos's ambition. And when a historically rich club like Panathinaikos gets a tactical brain like Obradović, every other team must take notice. But Antic did not only talk about the past and present. He also has a responsibility for the future of regional basketball. His presence at the ABA League's 25th-anniversary celebration was not merely a social event. It highlighted his role as a bridge between regional leagues and the continental stage. 'I am very happy to be here, at an event like this,' he said, but behind that simple sentence lies an entire basketball ecosystem in motion. The ABA League, with 25 years of existence, has become an important training ground for European basketball. From this league, many talents have emerged onto the EuroLeague stage. Antic, who went through the ABA League before shining on the continental stage, understands its value better than anyone. So, what really lies behind Antic's hesitation? Is he trying to appease everyone? Or is it the honesty of a man who gave his all for three different jerseys? In my view, it is honesty. And that honesty is more valuable than any tactical analysis. But looking closer, Antic's hesitation also reflects a reality of the modern EuroLeague: no team dominates absolutely. Olympiacos remains a powerhouse, Fenerbahce is always a contender, and Red Star, though not the highest-rated, always has the ability to surprise. And now, with Obradović's return, Panathinaikos becomes an intriguing wildcard. Antic, with three EuroLeague titles, is one of the few who understands the value of championship rings. But perhaps what he treasures most are not the rings, but the relationships, the memories, and the jerseys that have become part of his life. When a man like Antic says 'I cannot choose,' perhaps he is speaking most truthfully about his heart. And in a sports world full of calculations, that honesty is a rare gift. As for next season's EuroLeague? Let's wait and see. But one thing is certain: the derbies will be special.