By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Fenerbahce Beko announced Wednesday (as adapted by EuroLeague) that center Joffrey Lauvergne and forward Luigi Datome are officially ruled out for the Final Four due to their respective injuries.
Lauvergne has been out since mid-February due to an ankle injury that he suffered in a Turkish Cup semifinals game. Datome suffered a right calf muscle tear in a Turkish League game against Darussafaka Tekfen Istanbul on April 28.
Lauvergne averaged 8.5 points and 3.6 rebounds in 22 EuroLeague games this season. Datome had played all 34 games until now, averaging 9 points on 91.7% free throw shooting and 3.6 rebounds.
After the announcement, Datome commented on his absence with a message posted on twitter.
“We tried our best but now we know that I’m ruled out for final4. Big frustration not to be on the floor with my guys after one season of work, on that beautiful stage, competing for our biggest goal. This is life, this is part of our life, and the main thing is always to react and to look ahead. I feel disappointed but I know my guys won’t disappoint me and we’ll make me proud like they always did in these years together! Today is derby game, I hope the arena will be warm and noisy to support the team in the best way!”
Fenerbahce also announced that Nikola Kalinic and Jan Vesely remain sidelined but are proceeding with their treatments and their condition will be re-evaluated before the Final Four.