By Niki Bakouli/ bakouli@eurohoops.net
Christmas Eve was a very busy day in Istanbul. Fenerbahce/ Ulker announced the signing of Uros Tripkovic and the addition of the Serb shooter is just the appetizer. The Turkish club is ready to add in its roster former NBA player Shelden Williams who has started the season in French champions Chalon.
Williams’ team missed the Euroleague Top16 and ambitious Fenerbahce jumped to the chance to sign him. There were ongoing talks concerning him at least for a week and as Eurohoops via twitter reported on Sunday, he was still on Fener’s radar together with Brad Oleson of Caja Laboral. Of course Oleson will stay in Spain, after the addition of Tripkovic.
Last but not least, Fenerbahce has asked from Mike Batiste to find a new team in order to terminate their collaboration. However the veteran American wants to be paid his full contract, if he has to be released. According to Eurohoops sources in Turkey, Fener’s front office admitted he has a “guaranteed” contract and the Turks are not going to pay him and then risk the chance to face him as an opponent in Euroleague. Batiste’s former team, Panathinaikos tried to get him back, but the asking price is too high for them.