By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Sertac Sanli has been confirmed positive for COVID-19, FC Barcelona announced Wednesday.
Sanli, 30, is in good health and has been quarantined at home, noted the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and ACB giant.
Multiple players, including leading star Nikola Mirotic, have previously tested positive for COVID-19, but have been since cleared to return to action.
The Turkish center is expected to miss the EuroLeague Regular Season Round 23 home fixture opposite LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne Thursday, according to valid health and safety protocols. Up next, Barca will host Joventut Badalona in an ACB Regular Season Round 17 contest scheduled to be held Sunday, before two EuroLeague home games versus FC Bayern Munich and Panathinaikos OPAP set for next Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.
Captain Pierre Oriola (back) and Alex Abrines (left knee) remain on the injury list for the team coached by Sarunas Jasikevicius.
After spending the previous three years at Anadolu Efes and winning the 2021 EuroLeague championship, Sanli switched to the runner-ups of the previous edition of Europe’s top continental club competition. Producing 7.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.6 blocks, and 0.3 steals per EuroLeague contest over 18 appearances shapes his 2021-22 effort so far. Domestically, he has 7.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.4 steals, and 0.3 blocks per ACB contest.
Barcelona currently ranks second trailing rival Real Madrid in both the EuroLeague and ACB standings. The 16-5 record in the EuroLeague is 1.5 games shy of the Whites, while the 12-3 domestic league tally falls 2.5 games short of the 16-2 run for Pablo Laso’s side.