By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Stanley Johnson has returned to the United States for family reasons.
Anadolu Efes updated the status of the 28-year-old combo forward on Friday, noting team permission for his trip to his home country.
After tallying 1.9 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.4 steals per contest over 17 appearances, including five starts, in the 2024-25 installment of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, he will remain sidelined for Round 24 of the Regular Season and a clash with Olympiacos in the Peace and Friendship Stadium, later Friday. Johnson last played in Round 22 versus FC Barcelona on January 17.
A veteran of 456 NBA games between the Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans, Johnson used his overseas options and signed with the EuroLeague outfit in July. Besides competing in Europe’s premier club continental competition, he has also logged six appearances in the Turkiye Sigorta Basketbol Super Ligi, putting up 6.2 points and 2.7 rebounds per contest.
In further player updates shared on Friday, the team based in Istanbul announced Shane Larkin (elbow), Vincent Poirier (knee), Elijah Bryant (knee), and Ercan Osmani (groin) received medical clearance to play in SEF. Only Salih Altuntas, who recently underwent surgery on his left ankle, is on the injury list.
At 11-12 in the EuroLeague, Luca Banchi’s side is 1.5 games away from a spot in the Play-In Showdown. In the BSL, a 12-4 W-L tally is three games away from leader Fenerbahce Beko.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net