By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Playing the spoiler at Laktasi, Fatts Russell dropped 41 points.
Montenegro outfit Mornar-Barsko zlato claimed the away win, 91-83, over Igokea m:tel Saturday.
Russell, 24, coming in as a rookie following a five-year run in the NCAA split between Maryland and Rhode Island, was quick to display his scoring qualities. With 9/18 three-pointers and 5/11 two-pointers, he produced the early-season spectacle in Regular Season Round 1 of the 2022-23 edition of the AdmiralBet ABA League. Six rebounds and six assists pushed up the efficiency rating to a staggering 39.
His brother DeWayne Russell has been a regular in Europe the past five years, his own path including 16 appearances in the Basketball Champions League with NutriBullet Treviso last season.
Reigning ABA champion Crvena Zvezda mts made short work of MZT to capture the win, 87-67. Summer addition and starting playmaker, Jaylen Adams tallied 16 points. Nikola Ivanovic followed with 12 points and Hassan Martin put in ten more points. Injured players Nemanja Nedovic, Ognjen Dobric, and Filip Petrusev were ruled out along with Miroslav Raduljica, the most recent new player on the team.
Before the game, Marko Simonovic was honored for his playing career. Since retiring, he stayed with the team landing a job as an assistant under new head coach Vladimir Jovanovic.
Shifting to the opening round of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, the Belgrade giant will travel to Istanbul and face back-to-back champion Anadolu Efes Friday.
More ABA League Round 1 action with Luka Bozic dropping 30 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists as Zadar rolled SC Derby, 96-67, Friday.
Photo Credit: ABA-Liga.com