By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
FC Barcelona is in early negotiations with Scottie Wilbekin, according to Arale Weisberg of Walla Sport.
Wilbekin, 29, is under contract with Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv for the next season. So, a potential move to the Catalan powerhouse would need to include an agreement with Maccabi. The American-born, naturalized Turkish guard has been linked to Fenerbahce Beko as well, as noted in the latest update on his status heading to the 2022-23 season
Barca is apparently considering multiple adjustments during the offseason. Rumors regarding backcourt additions feature Czech superstar Tomas Satoransky, among other players. As a reminder, Satoransky, also reportedly linked to Anadolu Efes, played for Barcelona from 2014 to 2016, before completing the jump to the NBA.
Coming out of Florida in 2014, Wilbekin moved his talents to Australia’s NBL before landing in Europe. He finished his first professional campaign in Greece as a member of AEK and joined Darussafaka for a three-year stint highlighted by becoming champion and MVP of 7DAYS EuroCup in 2018. From there, he penned a two-year contract with Maccabi in 2018 and a three-year contract extension in 2020.
In 2021-22, he averaged 15.4 points, 4.1 assists, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per EuroLeague contest, and 13.4 points, 3.8 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game in Israel’s Winner League.
Maccabi reached the EuroLeague Playoffs as the fifth seed but was swept by Real Madrid in the ensuing best-of-five series. Domestically, it was eliminated by Bnei Ofek Dist Herzeliya in the Playoffs Semifinals.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net