By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Nigel Hayes-Davis penning a contract extension certainly signals Fenerbahce Beko’s intentions heading to the next offseason.
Hayes-Davis, 28, signed a new contract for the next two seasons with an option for one additional season, the team announced Friday. Last July, he inked a one-year contract to join the Istanbul outfit.
The former Wisconsin standout carrying the experience of three Turkish Airlines EuroLeague campaigns split between FC Barcelona in 2021-22 and Zalgiris in 2019-20 and 2020-21 went on to emerge as a key player for the team coached by Dimitris Itoudis in 2022-23. Averaging 10.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.2 blocks per contest helped put Fener on the verge of clinching a playoff berth.
Hayes-Davis has been named in the starting lineup in all 33 games of the season so far. He has lasted nearly 30 minutes per appearance, including a complete 40-minute showing in the crucial win against crosstown rival Anadolu Efes last night, Thursday. His game-high 26 points highlighted the knockout of the back-to-back EuroLeague champions.
Up to 19-14, Fenerbahce can officially advance to the next round of Europe’s premier club continental competition with an away win against Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet in Regular Season Round 34 next Thursday or some help from other games scheduled to be held next week.
At the domestic level, the 19-4 run in Turkey’s BSL ranks second overall behind Turk Telekom’s 20-3 tally. Hayes-Davis has chipped in 10.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game over 20 appearances.
Prior to moving his talents overseas in 2018, Hayes-Davis made his way to nine NBA games as a member of the Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, and Los Angeles Lakers.
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