By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Since Nemanja Bjielica joined the team as sports director, Bahcesehir has entered a new era trying to compete at a high level in both the Turkish league and BKT EuroCup.
The last two additions to the team’s backcourt come from the EuroLeague and demonstrate the ambition of the team coached by Dejan Radonjic.
Recently playing in Piraeus with the Croatian national team in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024, Jaleen Smith agreed to play with Bahcesehir next season, leaving the EuroLeague and making his debut in the BKT EuroCup.
Last year he had experiences with two black-and-white European powerhouses Virtus Bologna and Partizan Belgrade, coming off two years with ALBA Berlin. In his four seasons in the EuroLeague, he has been averaging 8.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.
Alongside Jaleen Smith, Bahcesehir also added Sehmus Hazer, who had been playing with Fenerbahce since 2021, putting up 3.4 points per encounter in three EuroLeague seasons. Bahcesehir will be its fourth Turkish team in his professional career after Bandirma, Besiktas, and Fenerbahce.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2024