Joffrey Lauvergne returns to Partizan Belgrade twelve years after his first stint
Joffrey Lauvergne returns to Partizan Belgrade 12 years later Photo Credit: EuroLeague
Joffrey Lauvergne is back where it all began. Twelve years after his initial departure, the 34-year-old French center has signed with Partizan Belgrade for the remainder of the current season and the 2025-2026 campaign, marking an emotional return to the Serbian institution where he first made his mark as a professional.
A promise kept to the Belgrade faithful
The 2013 European champion with France had made a commitment to Partizan supporters that he would one day return to the club where he became the first foreign captain in 2013-2014. That promise has now been fulfilled, bringing the veteran big man back to the black and white jersey that launched his international career.
During his first stint with Partizan, Lauvergne achieved remarkable success under legendary coach Dusko Vujosevic, who passed away last week. The French center captured two Serbian Championships, one Adriatic League title, and topped the EuroLeague rebounding charts, establishing himself as one of the most dominant players in European basketball.
His impressive performances in Belgrade opened the door to a four-season NBA journey that saw him suit up for Denver, Chicago, Oklahoma City, and San Antonio across 208 games. Following his NBA experience, Lauvergne returned to European basketball in 2018, playing for Fenerbahçe, Kaunas, and most recently ASVEL from 2022 to 2025.
The veteran center’s path back to Belgrade took an unexpected detour through Kuwait City in autumn 2025, but he departed the Middle Eastern club last month due to the challenging geopolitical situation in the region. This development ultimately paved the way for his highly anticipated return to Partizan, where fans have eagerly awaited his homecoming for over a decade.
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