By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Achille Polonara parted ways with Fenerbahce Beko, the team announced Wednesday. The next stop will be back-to-back Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion and Turkish rival, Anadolu Efes, his new team announced later Wednesday.
Polonara, 30, inked a contract stretching through the 2022-23 season and including an option for the 2023-24 season, noted Efes confirming the report of Eurohoops last week. The fifth new addition to the team coached by Ergin Ataman jumped into the squad after Will Clyburn, Ante Zizic, Egehan Arna, and Amath M’Baye. Bugrahan Tuncer, Shane Larkin, Erten Gazi, and Bryant Dunston all penned contract extensions this offseason.
Polonara moved from Baskonia to Fener during the previous offseason. Logging 7.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game over 30 appearances painted the statistical picture of his efforts in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. At the domestic level, he produced 10.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.4 blocks per BSL contest.
The Italian forward moved his talents abroad to play for Kirolbet/TD Systems Baskonia from 2019 to 2021 and logged his first 60 appearances in EuroLeague. Former teams in his country are Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari, Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia, Cimberio Varese, and Bancatercas Teramo.
From the 2021-22 squad winning the domestic league championship, also departing was Pierria Henry along with Nando de Colo moving to LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, Ahmet Duverioglu joining Frutti Extra Bursaspor, Jehyve Floyd landing at Galatasaray Nef, and Markel Starks going to Darussafaka. Marial Shayok and Danilo Barthel went to the exit as well.
Incoming, Nemanja Bjelica is expected to reunite with Fener, and both Nick Calathes and Nigel Hayes-Davis are rumored to be nearing a deal. Already done, Johnathan Motley, Scottie Wilbekin, Tonye Jekiri, and Samet Geyik have signed with the Istanbul club and Dimitris Itoudis was named as the new head coach. Staying, Melih Mahmutoglu and Ismet Akpinar signed new contracts.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net