By Eurohoops Team / info@eurohoops.net
Mike James made his first appearance in an Anadolu Efes jersey as the Istanbul side defeated Trabzonspor 76-71 in a preseason preparation game.
The veteran guard marked his Efes debut with 14 points, two rebounds and three assists, offering an early glimpse of what he could bring to his new team as Anadolu Efes prepares for the upcoming season.
James, who joined Efes this summer after his spell with AS Monaco, was one of the main attractions of the game. The American guard arrived in Istanbul as one of European basketball’s most accomplished offensive players, and his first outing with his new teammates immediately put the spotlight on the club’s new backcourt centerpiece.
His debut came in a closely contested game against Trabzonspor. Efes led 34-31 at halftime, before eventually securing the five-point victory.
James finished as Anadolu Efes’ second-highest scorer, behind Daron Russell, who led all players with 16 points while also contributing two rebounds and one assist. Dario Šarić also made an important contribution, finishing with 11 points, four rebounds and five assists.
Darius Karutasu and Collin Malcolm each added nine points, while Matthew Strazel contributed eight points, one rebound and two assists. Burak Can Yıldızlı finished with six points and four rebounds, while Kai Jones recorded two points, three rebounds and one assist. Jordan Loyd added one point, two rebounds and one assist.
Valencia Basket gets the win
Valencia Basket opened their preseason campaign with an 88–81 victory over Casademont Zaragoza in Benicarló. The Taronja side controlled most of the first half before regaining the lead in the third quarter, thanks to Brooks’ shooting from beyond the arc and a strong contribution from Álvaro Cárdenas. The game remained close throughout the final stages, but Valencia Basket looked sharper over the last five minutes, with Shorts putting the finishing touches on the team’s preseason win.
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