Todorovic travels around the world in pursuit of NBA dream

PORTLAND, Maine. - Stefan Todorovic may be a rookie in the G League, but his mature approach to the game has been on display since day one in Portland.

Todorovic, who likes to be referred to as just 'Stef,' brings an all-business approach to basketball. A native of Belgrade, Serbia, Todorovic started playing ball when he was seven years old. By the time he was 17, Stef was playing professionally for Partizan in Serbia during the 2019-20 season. 

Todorovic has always dreamed of playing in the NBA, and he made the decision early on in his career to sacrifice being at home, to chase his dream in the United States. His first move was to California to play for Prolific Prep in 2020-2021. His experience overseas and then early on in the States helped teach Stef the business side of basketball at an early age. 

"It helped with that professional approach early on in my career and helped me get better. Just being surrounded by older guys early in my career, I think that was crucial in helping me mature, not just in basketball but in life in general," Todorovic said. 

Playing basketball overseas is something Todorovic and Maine Celtics Head Coach Phil Pressey have in common. Pressey played overseas for multiple clubs from 2017-2022, including a stint with Barcelona during the 2017-2018 season. A young Todorovic actually watched Pressey play against his hometown club. 

"I remember watching him play in Serbia," Todorovic said. 

That experience has created a shared basketball context between coach and player. Pressey knows what the culture around the sport is like in Serbia; and he knows Todorovic is willing to sacrifice whatever it takes to make it to the NBA.

"He just told me, 'I know you're ready to be coached hard,' because he knows how coaches are over there. I think he's really getting me and everybody else getting better every day." 

Todorovic would go on to play for three schools in four years during his collegiate career, making stops at SMU, San Francisco, and Pepperdine. Stef's season with the Waves in Malibu, California is where the sharpshooter took a big step forward in his career. Todorovic was the WCC's leading scorer, averaging 18.3 points per game. After going undrafted, Todorovic played for the Philadelphia 76ers during the NBA Summer League and was later acquired by Maine in a draft day trade during the NBA G League Draft. The Maine Celtics are the latest stop in Todorovic's basketball journey as he continues to pursue the ultimate goal. 

"I'm just chasing my dream. I think being in the G League, it's a great league. And just playing these games, I think I'm a step closer to my goal."

Todorovic's ability to score at a high level has been on display in his first season with the Celtics. Always ready to take advantage of his opportunities, the rookie guard scored a career-high 31 points against the Westchester Knicks on November 30. It doesn't matter if he plays just two minutes or 30 minutes; Stef is all about doing whatever it takes to try to earn a win for his team. 

"We cannot promise we're going to win all the games, but we can promise that we will give our best and our effort will always be there. The results will come from that."

Todorovic says playing in front of a sellout crowd at the Portland Expo always adds some extra motivation. He's no stranger to raucous crowds from his days playing in Serbia, and  praised Celtics fans for always being engaged with the game. 

"I can for sure say we have the best fans in the G League. They're not just there, they're loud." 

He's also embraced the chance to play in front of young basketball fans in Maine. Stef recognizes the Celtics provide that first taste of professional basketball that he experienced as a kid back home in Serbia. 

"I'm super happy when I walk in the crowd. I have never seen this many kids in the crowd in one building. It makes me really happy to see a younger generation being near a basketball court early. It's really good for them to be here and have this experience in this atmosphere." 

And as for his advice to those kids cheering him on from the stands? 

"Just keep working and never let anybody tell you that you can't do it."