There have been many cases when, after failing to meet expectations in the NBA, young big men return to Europe and are just another guy. However, this is not the case with 25-year-old Alexis Ajinca. 

The French center successfully restarted his career in Europe after spending three seasons on the benches of NBA teams and is now considered one of the best centers in the Euroleague. Ajinca is currently the second top scorer in the Euroleague this season, averaging 19.4 points and 6.6 rebounds in 28 minutes per game.

Ajinca was also a big part of France's national team, which succeeded in EuroBasket 2013 and won the gold in Slovenia.

RealGM caught up with Ajinca to talk about the restart of his career, his plans to get back to the NBA, France's national team and much more.

RealGM: First of all, speaking of your current team Strasbourg IG, what were your individual expectations for this Euroleague season? 

Ajinca: We want to finish in the Top 16 in the Euroleague, to be able to do something pretty good in the Euroleague and win a championship. That’s always the main goal.

RealGM: Back in the 2006-07 season, you had a chance to taste Euroleague for only eight minutes, but now you’ve finally got a real opportunity to see what is Euroleague all about. What is your impression about this competition so far?  

Ajinca: It has improved a lot since then. I’ve been playing more than I used to. I’ve learned a lot with Coach (Vincent) Collet. He’s taught me a lot as a big man.

RealGM: You’ve been playing for Strasbourg IG for the last three years. What are the reasons that made you stay in one place for a long time while you could have signed with a top European team? Or is it just the financial aspect?

Ajinca: It was the fact that I liked working with the coach I have, the national team coach. It was a great thing to be able to come back and play with him. It was a very good opportunity.

RealGM: Taking you back to EuroBasket 2013, could you highlight your top three moments from that time in Slovenia that you will remember for a long time?

Ajinca: I would say my 25 points against Latvia. I played a good game. That was one memory. Another memory is when we won against Spain, because that was the first time it happened in international competition. And another great memory is the celebration, when we won the title at the end.

RealGM: As you discovered that Joakim Noah, Ronny Turiaf and Ian Mahimi wouldn't be available for EuroBasket 2013, and you’re the top big inside the paint, what was your mindset prior the start of the competition?

Ajinca: Well, my mind was set to go to the national team and play as hard as I could to be able to lead the team. When I heard that some players weren’t coming, it was disappointing. I wanted to compare myself to them to see how far I’ve come.

RealGM: Tony Parker praised your game and your improvement since 2009. How does it feel to hear good words from one of the best point guards in the world?

Ajinca: Very thankful. It means that everything I’ve been working on all those years has been paying off, so I’m blessed that someone like him would recognize the work that I’ve put in. It’s great. He took me under his wing and taught me how to do things. It was great. I really enjoyed playing with him.

RealGM: If all the best French players who didn’t play in EuroBasket 2013 would suit up, where France could finish at the upcoming World Championship?

Ajinca: I don’t know. Probably in the top three.

RealGM: Could you talk a bit about Vincent Collet and your relationship with him? You spent the last couple of seasons playing under him with both the French national team and Strasbourg IG.

Ajinca: He’s a very good coach. He takes time to teach people how to react to certain situations. He’s always been great to me. Always taking time to teach me how to do things. I’m grateful I found a coach like that.

RealGM: As you had a successful EuroBasket 2013 and you’re one of the best big men in Euroleague, what path would you prefer to go for the next season - joining an elite Euroleague team or coming back to the NBA? 

Ajinca: My dream is to one day become a very good NBA player, but right now I’m just focused on this season. I want to be the best player I can be in Euroleague.

RealGM: You said in 2011 that you’re not sure if you make an attempt to make a comeback to the NBA. Does your great performance in EuroBasket 2013 and Euroleague gave you more confidence?

Ajinca: Yeah, it gave me a lot more confidence. I can see myself playing against those big names and I’m doing better, so it pretty much told me I’m already better than I was before.

RealGM: You played your last game in the NBA on April 13th, 2011. How do you think your game has changed since that time?

Ajinca: I have been receiving playing time. It’s just being able to play as good as I can and help my team as much as I can.

RealGM: As you’re still only 25 and you have European champion medal under your belt, what else would you like to achieve in your career?

Ajinca: I want to win an NBA ring. I would love to be able to have an Olympic gold medal and the Euroleague Championship.