By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Picking up an injury to his left knee on Sunday, Scottie Wilbekin is projected to miss two to three weeks, Fenerbahce Beko announced Monday.
Wilbekin, 29, was hurt late in the BSL Regular Season Round 8 matchup opposite Istanbul rival Galatasaray Nef held yesterday at Sinan Erdem Dome. He emerged as the top performer in the derby win, despite sitting out the last minutes of the fourth quarter.
Already on the injury list, Nemanja Bjelica (calf) has yet to play in the 2022-23 season. Another key player forced to the sidelines will certainly force additional adjustments by head coach Dimitris Itoudis. This week, the rescheduled BSL Round 6 game versus Besiktas Emlakjet Tuesday, a home game against Real Madrid in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 11 Friday, and from there back to the domestic league with a visit to Gaziantep Sunday shape the next demanding stretch.
The former Florida standout, Wilbekin inked a three-year contract to join Fener in late June. He since started in all ten games of the EuroLeague Regular Season punching in 12.5 points, 3.1 assists, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.9 steals per contest. Carrying a 9-1 W-L tally, the team coached by Greek tactician Itoudis sits first overall enjoying a gap of two wins from four teams tied for second.
Logging seven more games played, he has been solid in Turkey’s BSL as well. He averaged 13.6 points, 4.9 assists, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.9 steals per contest, helping in the 7-0 start.
Across all competitions, Fenerbahce has prevailed in all official games, except the EuroLeague Round 6 visit to FC Barcelona and the preseason Presidential Cup final against crosstown rival Anadolu Efes.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net