By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Back-to-back Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion Anadolu Efes ‘may undergo some changes’ as noted by head coach Ergin Ataman. He talked to Turkish TV channel NTV about the next step for the team based in Istanbul.
“We have achieved success with a team built as a family but this can’t last forever. The team may undergo some changes,” he admitted previewing the 2022-23 squad, “We will evaluate potential changes at the end of the season. We don’t have any real plans right now.”
After being crowned EuroLeague champion for the second year in a row, Efes shifts back to the BSL Playoffs. Jumping to Game 3 of the Quarterfinals best-of-three series, his side will host Pinar Karsiyaka tomorrow, Tuesday. The winning side will move on to face Galatasaray Nef in the Semifinals. Fenerbahce Beko and Darussafaka shape the other matchup of the next round.
“Older players are not necessarily leaving,” Ataman ruled out the age of players as a criterion regarding building the roster for the next season, “We can assign roles to 12 to 13 players. We will discuss this with all players at the end of the season.”
“We are talking with very good players. We are talking with Will Clyburn and maybe we are close to signing him. Although, it is not finalized yet,” added the 56-year-old Turkish head coach confirming the recent link between Efes and the 2019 EuroLeague Final Four MVP, “We can add one or two more players.”
Filip Petrusev was brought in prior to the 2021-22 season but can be on his way out. “His contribution did not meet our expectations this season and we may replace him with another player,” he mentioned regarding the former Gonzaga standout.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net