Klemen Prepelič

Klemen Prepelič (born 20 October 1992) is a Slovenian professional basketball player and the team captain for Dubai Basketball of the ABA League and the EuroLeague. He also represents the Slovenian national basketball team internationally. Standing at , he plays at the shooting guard position.

Professional career Prepelič started playing basketball for Domžale-based club Helios Domžale (today the Helios Suns). In 30 Slovenian Basketball League games for Helios he averaged 16.7 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.9 rebounds. In the 2011–12 ABA League he played 26 games, averaging 14.2 points, 2.9 assists and 2.4 rebounds.

Olimpija (2012–2013) On 23 August 2012, Prepelič signed a three-year contract with Slovenian club Union Olimpija. In his first period at Olimpija, he won the 2013 Slovenian Basketball Cup. During his first season at Olimpija he played 15 games and averaged 7.6 points, 2.35 assists and 2.6 rebounds in the 2012–13 Slovenian Basketball League. He played 26 games in the 2012–13 ABA League, averaging 11.4 points, 2.46 assists and 2.46 rebounds. In 10 games in the 2012–13 Euroleague, his first season in EuroLeague, he averaged 8.9 points, 2 assists and 2 rebounds for Olimpija.

Banvit (2013–2014) After one season at Olimpija, Prepelič moved to Turkey, signing a three-year contract with Banvit from Bandirma on 29 July 2013. He left Banvit after one season. In his only season at Banvit he played 27 games in the 2013–14 Turkish Basketball League and averaged 5.4 points, 1.1 assists and 1.2 rebounds. In 16 games in the 2013–14 Eurocup Basketball he averaged 6.1 points and 2 rebounds. He played 13 games in the 2014–15 Eurocup Basketball with Olimpija, averaging 7.23 points, 2.6 assists and 1.9 rebounds. In 12 games of the 2014–15 Slovenian Basketball League he averaged 14 points, 2.5 assists and 2.8 rebounds. In his last season in ABA League he averaged 11 points, 2.5 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 21 games played. On 21 October 2015, he re-signed with Oldenburg for the rest of the season. In his season at Oldenburg he played 15 games in the 2015–16 Eurocup Basketball, averaging 8.4 points, 2.7 assists and 2.2 rebounds. Prepelič posted a double-double of 23 points and 10 assists in a 97–86 win over Eisbären Bremerhaven in the Basketball Bundesliga, in which he played 33 games and averaged 10 points, 3 assists and 3 rebounds.

Limoges (2016–2017) On 28 June 2016, Prepelič signed with Limoges CSP for the 2016–17 season. In 33 games in the 2016–17 Pro A season, he averaged 16 points, 4 assists and 2.7 rebounds with the French club. In 9 games of the 2017–18 EuroCup Basketball, he averaged 15.7 points, 1.8 assists, and 1.9 rebounds. He posted a double-double in a 93–75 home win over Hyères-Toulon in the 2017–18 Pro A season, in which he played 31 games, averaging 15.4 points, 3 assists and 2.8 rebounds. He was one of the best players in the 2018 Supercopa de España de Baloncesto final, scoring 13 points off the bench in the final. Upon entering the game, he scored a two-pointer and two three-pointers in rapid succession, and was fundamental in Real Madrid's comeback. He played 22 games for Real Madrid in the 2018–19 ACB season, and averaged 4.2 points and 1 assist, with .730 free-throw percentage. He played 21 games in the 2018–19 EuroLeague with Real Madrid, averaging 3.8 points, 1.7 assists and 1 rebound. In addition to the 15th edition of the Supercopa de España de Baloncesto, he also won the 2018–19 ACB, Real Madrid's 35th league title. In May he had been informed by Real Madrid that Jaycee Carroll would play another season at the club, after he changed his mind about retiring, and therefore advised to "look for other options." Prepelič stated that if someone had asked him, in May, whether he would return to Real Madrid, he would've said yes, since he wanted another shot at the club. In the end, however, his move to Joventut proved very beneficial for his career. He had an extremely positive season at Joventut. Prepelič played 15 games in the 2019–20 EuroCup Basketball, averaging 17 points, 4 assists and 2.3 rebounds. In 27 games in the 2019–20 ACB season he averaged 22.5 points, 3 assists and 1.7 rebounds. Prepelič was the top-scorer of the 2019-20 ACB regular season, and the third most valued player with 19.6 credits. He scored 5 points to bring the score from 41–41 to 46–43. Soon Prepelič converted another and-one opportunity for 8 points. Prepelič scored and assisted again, getting Joventut back on track in the 4th quarter with the first score and also scoring a big three-pointer to restore the double-digit lead. Brescia recovered again, but Prepelič closed the game with another three-pointer and two consecutive assists. He was again the top performer in Joventut's second win against Darüşşafaka, when he first brought the score from 9–10 to 13–10 in the 1st quarter, then stole a ball and dished out two assists to recover from a 6-point deficit in the 2nd quarter. In the last minute of the game, he draw a foul and made 3 out of 3 free throws to bring the score to 82–82, and finally won the game with a buzzer-beater from his own foul line.

At the end of the season Prepelič was included in the All-ACB First Team of the 2019–20 season.

Valencia (2020–2023) On 4 July 2020, he signed with Valencia Basket of the Liga ACB. Prepelič had a very positive season at Valencia. In 32 games of the 2020–21 EuroLeague he averaged 12.1 points (career high in EuroLeague), 2.9 assists and 1.5 rebounds. In 40 games in the 2020–21 ACB season he averaged 11.6 points, 2.6 assists, and 1.73 rebounds. He helped Valencia to achieve 4th place in the Spanish league and to reach the playoffs semifinals. Valencia concluded the EuroLeague regular season 9th, just shy of the playoffs. Within the first 5 minutes of the first quarter he recorded one assist and a two-pointer, attempted two times from behind the 3-point line and scored both times, pulling his team ahead three times, the last time 12–10. He entered the 2nd quarter and put his team ahead twice, first with an assist (35–34), and then making 2/2 free throws before shooting a three-pointer on the buzzer, bringing the score from 40–41 to 45–41. He was Valencia's top performer against CSKA Moscow, approaching triple-double with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. With 24 points, 7 assists, 2 rebounds, and a 29 PIR, he was the top performer against Alba Berlin, which Valencia had to chase throughout the game up to the last minute for an eventual 86–90 win. He recorded 14 points and 2 assists against Baskonia. In the 3rd quarter he scored 6 points and dished out 2 assists, with the score changing from 47–56 to 60–59, and in the 4th quarter added 4 points and 1 assist. Valencia eventually won 86–81.

On 24 June 2023 Prepelič amicably parted ways with the Spanish club after three seasons together.

Cedevita Olimpija (2023) On 23 October 2023 Prepelič signed with Cedevita Olimpija until the end of 2023.

Galatasaray Ekmas (2023–2024) On 7 December 2023 he signed with Galatasaray Ekmas of the Turkish Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL).

Dubai (2024–present) On 25 July 2024, Prepelič signed with Dubai of the ABA League.

International career

Prepelič took part in the 2012 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship with Slovenia. He posted a double-double of 20 points and 11 assists against eventual champion Lithuania in the first round, 29 points and 4 assists against Turkey in the second round, and 17 points against France in the quarterfinals. He was included in the All-Tournament Team. Prepelič debuted for the Slovenian national basketball team at the 2014 World Cup. He also represented Slovenia at the EuroBasket 2015 where they were eliminated by Latvia in eighth finals.

He was among the protagonists of Slovenia's conquer of the gold at EuroBasket 2017, in which he had a key role, averaging 13.8 points and 2.3 assists, the best after Luka Dončić (14.3 and 3.6) and Goran Dragić (22.6 and 5.1).

2020 Summer Olympics Prepelič scored 31 points and grabbed 2 rebounds in a preparatory friendly against Croatia. He made 6 three pointers out of 8 attempted, including a buzzer-beater from half-court. He and Dončić led Slovenia to a 112–72 victory over Poland in the Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in Kaunas, scoring 18 and 17 points respectively.

He was the co-protagonist of Slovenia's win over Argentina with 22 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 23 efficiency (the best after Dončić) and a field goal percentage of 75%. He was also among the top performers of the day. He stood out in the match against Japan for his leadership, 12 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds, and was the second assists leader. Prepelič was the hero of the match against Spain, won 87–95 by Slovenia. Dončić suffered a box-and-one defense, and Prepelič, who entered the match late in the first quarter, also received box-and-one defense from Sergio Llull. He eventually scored 15 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, also stealing 2 balls. He made 9 out of 10 free throws. He was Slovenia's third-scoring leader, and the most decisive player in the last part of the game. Prepelič scored the vital three-pointer that put his team ahead 86–85 at 2'30 from the end. Then, a minute and a half before the end he intercepted a ball before sending Tobey an alley-hoop which he dunked to close the game. With 13 seconds left to play he gave Slovenia a 3-point advantage by scoring two free throws. He, Tobey and Dragić were especially praised for their performances against Germany in the quarterfinal. He scored 9 points, all in the decisive fourth-period run, when Slovenia placed a final boost. Prepelič and Dončić gave the final blow to Germany, putting an advantage of 19 points. He scored one three-pointer, then attempted two more times from behind the line and scored both times.

Slovenia lost a dramatic semifinal to France by one point. The game seemed over for Slovenia, with France ahead 90–85 and less than a minute left to play. However, Slovenia "battled back behind Prepelic," who in a few seconds managed to score four points, bringing Slovenia just one point of France, 90–89: Dončić entrusted the ball to Prepelič at 35 seconds from the end, and he sunk a clutch three-pointer. After De Colo missed a layup, Dončić again renounced to shoot, and turned the clutch shoot over to Prepelič, who attempted a layup but was blocked by Nicolas Batum. After the game, Rudy Gobert stated that Batum's save was "one of the best blocks he had ever seen." Against France, Prepelič was one of Slovenia's best with Tobey and Dončić. He scored 18 points and 2 assists against Australia, in the bronze medal game, and approached double-double with 7 rebounds. He was Slovenia's top performer in that game. After entering the game towards the end of the first quarter, Prepelič turned it around for Slovenia with a go-ahead three-pointer. In the 3rd quarter he brought Slovenia within 60–66 with 3:30 left in the period, converting a four-point play. Prepelič scored 4 more points, and with a layup brought the score to 75–81 just before Australia's time-out, provoking an ovation from the Slovenian bench. He then scored another three-pointer; Slovenia managed to reach 80–83, but eventually lost 93–107.

With 15 points per game he was the 12th scoring leader of the men's basketball tournament heading into the finals, eventually raising it to 15.5 pts after playing Australia. He also averaged 3.33 rebounds, and with 2.7 assists was Slovenia's second assists leader. He was also ranked among the players who "should be on NBA radars" by the end of the tournament.

Career statistics

EuroLeague

EuroCup

ABA League

Domestic leagues Season Team League 2011–12 Helios Suns SKL 30 31.6 .388 .879 2.9 3.75 1.1 .05 16.7 2012–13 Olimpija SKL 15 25 .256 .750 2.6 2.35 1.2 .0 7.6 2013–14 Banvit BSL 27 12.1 .333 .791 1.2 1.1 .4 .05 5.4 2014–15 Olimpija SKL 12 27.1 .402 .870 2.75 2.5 .5 .0 14 2015–16 Oldenburg BBL 33 23 .363 .910 3 3.2 .6 .05 9.9 2016–17 Limoges ProA 33 30.2 .515 .351 .822 2.73 4 .9 .0 15.8 2017–18 Levallois 31 26.5 .509 .319 .839 2.77 3 .7 .05 15.4 2018–19 Real Madrid ACB 22 11.1 .414 .298 .730 .5 1 1 .0 4.2 2019–20 Joventut 27 28 .540 .385 .868 1.8 3 .7 .0 22.3 2020–21 Valencia 40 20.5 .631 .344 .948 1.73 2.6 .6 .0 11.6