By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
In the making for several weeks, Fenerbahce Beko has completed the transfer of Nemanja Bjelica.
Bjelica, 34, currently working in the Serbia national team’s training camp, will be returning to the Turkish giant following the 2022 EuroBasket. He signed a two-year contract as Eurohoops reported more than one month ago, opening July.
On the radar of NBA teams as an unrestricted free agent, the experienced forward/center opted to reunite with Fener. He last played for the Golden State Warriors assisting in winning the 2022 NBA championship with 5.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game over 86 appearances in the Regular Season and Playoffs. Between the Warriors, Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings, and Minnesota Timberwolves, the games played in the NBA amounted to 471 since the 2015-16 season.
From 2013 to 2015 entered his first spell at Fenerbahce and was a productive one indeed. Individual accomplishments were highlighted by the 2015 MVP award of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. In 2014, he was crowned champion in Turkey’s BSL. Other former teams in Europe include Caja Laboral/Laboral Kutxa/Baskonia and Crvena Zvezda mts.
Pending the more than possible arrival of Nick Calathes from FC Barcelona, the team based in Istanbul and coached by Dimitris Itoudis has upgraded the roster with Nigel Davis-Hayes, Carsen Edwards, Samet Geyik, Tonye Jekiri Johnathan Motley, and Scottie Wilbekin this offseason. Confirmed returning players are captain Melih Mahmutoglu and Marko Guduric, among others.
In 2022-23, Fenerbahce is set to compete in the next edition of the EuroLeague and domestic competitions as well.