By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Anadolu Efes parted ways with experienced big Chris Singleton. In addition, Egehan Arna logged his way back to Besiktas Emlakjet after a one-year stint with Efes.
Shifting from the successful stint under the guidance of Ergin Ataman, the new head coach of Greek giant Panathinaikos, the team based in Istanbul handed the reins to Erdem Can Tuesday.
Singleton, 33, was released and officially became a free agent Wednesday.
The Georgia native returned for a second spell midway through the 2022-23 season. Appearing in 14 games between the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and Turkiye Sigorta Basketbol Super Ligi, he averaged 2.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.1 blocks per contest. Dealing with chest pain prevented him from helping his side in the Playoffs of Turkey’s top-flight division.
“We would like to thank Chris Singleton, who has achieved memorable success with the Anadolu Efes jersey, for all his efforts and wish him success in the next part of his career,” Efes bid farewell via social media.
Anadolu Efes formasıyla birçok unutulmaz başarıya imza atan @C_SING31‘e tüm emekleri için teşekkür ediyor, kariyerinin bundan sonraki bölümünde başarılar diliyoruz. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/rZvyIKCKcr
— Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) June 21, 2023
Singleton was a key part of the back-to-back EuroLeague championships in 2021 and 2022. Overall, he played 118 of his 251 EuroLeague games as a member of Efes.
Besiktas picks up Egehan Arna
Coming in from Besiktas, Arna, a youth product of Fenerbahce, made his way back to Besiktas, the fellow Istanbul outfit announced Wednesday. Enjoying more playing time at the domestic level, he produced 2.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.3 steals, and 0.1 blocks per game between EuroLeague and BSL.