By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Three-time BSL champion Semih Erden will display his talents for Turk Telekom during the upcoming 2022-23 season, the team announced Sunday.
Erden, 35, is coming off three seasons as a member of Pinar Karsiyaka. Shifting to the team based in Ankara, he will make his debut in the 7DAYS EuroCup to complete the puzzle of European club continental competitions following 160 appearances in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, 18 in the Basketball Champions League, and 21 in FIBA Europe Cup.
Back in 2008, he was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 60th pick of the NBA draft. Pausing his long career in Europe, he jumped to the NBA and made his way to 69 games played between the Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers over the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons.
Stops in EuroLeague since turning pro in 2003 stretched from Partizan in 2004 to Fenerbahce, Anadolu Efes, and Darussafaka. Other former teams, Besiktas and Istanbul BB, helped extend his campaigns in Turkey’s BSL. He is now set up for his 17th season in the domestic league of his country.
Since launching the offseason by naming the former assistant of the Utah Jazz and Fenerbahce Erdem Can as the new head coach, Turk Telekom picked up Emircan Kosut, Ridvan Oncel, Nate Sestina, Tony Taylor, and Erkan Yilmaz.
In the recent draw of the 2022-23 EuroCup Regular Season, the Turkish club landed in Group B alongside Hapoel SP Tel Aviv, Gran Canaria, Buducnost VOLI, Dolomiti Energia Trento, Promitheas, Paris, Hamburg Towers, Slask Wroclaw, and London Lions.
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League