By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Fenerbahce Beko officially signed Sertac Sanli.
Sanli, 31, penned a two-year contract to join the Fener, the team announced Thursday, confirming the recent report of Eurohoops on a deal between the two sides.
The Turkish center was released by FC Barcelona, after spending the last two seasons at the Catalonia giant. Emerging among potential suitors, Fenerbahce reached a deal and eventually officially welcomed the latest newcomer.
In 2022-23, Sanli stuffed 6.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.5 blocks, and 0.3 steals per contest in his sixth Turkish Airlines EuroLeague campaign. He played in 36 games, including 20 starts, as his side reached the Final Four to settle for fourth place in Kaunas.
Packing 7.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.4 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game over 38 appearances in Spain’s Liga Endesa, he helped Barcelona march all the way to the ACB championship. Sweeping archrival Real Madrid in the best-of-five championship series marked the ending of the campaign and his run with Barcelona.
During his breakout stint with Anadolu Efes, he was crowned EuroLeague champion in 2021 and also won two domestic league titles. Returning to the Turkiye Sigorta Basketbol Super Ligi and switching to crosstown rival Fenerbahce makes his move even more intriguing.
Heading to the next editions of EuroLeague and domestic competitions, Fener previously secured the services of EuroLeague Rising Star Yam Madar. Metecan Birsen, Marko Guduric, Nigel Hayes-Davis, and Dyshawn Pierre previously inked multiyear contract extensions to keep playing under Greek tactician Dimitris Itoudis.