By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following a 2-0 start in Germany’s easyCredit BBL, ALBA Berlin focuses on Round 1 of the 2023-24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season. Visiting domestic rival FC Bayern Munich in BMW Park shapes the demanding challenge on Thursday.
Before the tipoff of the next edition of Europe’s premier club continental competition, the team coached by Israel Gonzalez is already dealing with multiple injuries across the squad.
Yanni Wetzell has been ruled out for approximately six weeks after picking up an ankle injury and missing the domestic affair opposite the Hakro Merlins Crailsheim on Monday. Coming out of debuting with the senior national team of New Zealand through the 2023 FIBA World Cup, sitting out a large chunk of games, early in the campaign at the club level, is certainly a huge setback.
Wetzell, 27, moved from a brief spell with Baskonia late in the 2021-22 season to the team based in Berlin before the 2022-23 season. Debuting in the EuroLeague, he tallied 6.5 points and 2.8 rebounds per game over 31 appearances, including one start. On to the World Cup, he averaged 8.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per contest helping his country settle 22nd in the final standings.
Apart from the New Zealander forward/center, Swedish Marcus Eriksson remained on the injury list, still ways away from being cleared to finally return to action. Christ Koumadje tending to a knee injury and Matteo Spagnolo also sat out yesterday’s Regular Season Round 2 matchup against Crailsheim.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net