By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Daron Russell has entered the free-agent market.
The explosive point guard parted ways with Karsiyaka with his agent paying the buyout fee, as noted by Aris Barkas on Thursday.
Looking into the next step to forward his third professional campaign, he is expected to return to action sooner rather than later. Turkish Airlines EuroLeague teams are interested in his services and teams of China’s CBA have submitted offers.
Daron Russell is officially a free agent from Karsiyaka with his agent paying the buyout fee. The US import had some EuroLeague interest and also offers from China.
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— Aris Barkas (@arbarkas) January 30, 2025
Returning to the Basketball Champions League after debuting with Galatasaray Nef at the bottom end of the 2022-23 journey, Russell averaged 17.0 points, 4.6 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 0.3 steals per contest over eight appearances in the 2024-25 installment of the top-tier club continental competition of FIBA Europe. At the domestic level, he tallied 16.1 points, 4.7 assists, 2.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 0.1 blocks per game over 14 appearances in the Turkiye Sigorta Basketbol Super Ligi.
Fatts Russell, 26, adds to the several recent departures from Karsiyaka. The team based in Izmir has been facing financial limitations and overall struggles leading players to the exit, including Jerry Boutsiele, Errick McCollum, Damien Jefferson, Kenan Sipahi, and James Webb III.
Relying mainly on remaining domestic players, a balanced 8-8 W-L tally currently ranks eighth in the BSL Regular Season. In addition, Karsiyaka was recently drawn against Galatasaray in the Quarterfinals of the 2025 ING Turkish Cup. The continental campaign ended in the Play-Ins of the BCL via a two-game sweep at the hands of Promitheas Vikos Cola.