By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahce Beko must consider Shane Larkin and Scottie Wilbekin, respectively, as foreign players in their domestic league.
With all teams participating in the Turkiye Sigorta Basketbol Super Ligi forced to deal with restrictions on foreign players available for each game, the Istanbul giants will now attach Wilbekin and Larkin to such roster options, instead of fitting them in the lineup without issue.
Following the fines and suspensions issued by the Turkish Basketball Federation, both combo guards will lose domestic player status in the league, according to TBF rules. Involved teams, Fener and Efes have the right to appeal but lack grounds for a favorable outcome.
The updated status in the domestic league does not affect participation in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. In contrast to domestic leagues across Europe, club continental competitions, including the EuroLeague, do not carry restrictions on foreign players.
Missing the Olympic Games Pre-Qualifying Tournament
Both players have represented Turkiye as naturalized players in major international tournaments. Larkin played in the 2022 EuroBasket and Wilbekin was on the roster for the 2019 FIBA World Cup, besides boosting the senior national team in various Qualifiers contests over the last few years.
Upon completion of the investigation for failing to report this summer, Larkin and Wilbekin were sanctioned with a five-game suspension to serve at the top of the 2023-24 edition of BSL and a fine of 90,000 Turkish lira, approximately 3,000 euros.
Without a player to cover the single available naturalized spot on the roster, the team coached by Ergin Ataman was defeated by Croatia in the deciding game and ranked second in the recent Olympic Games Pre-Qualifying Tournament held in Istanbul, therefore missing the opportunity to clinch a berth in next summer’s Olympic Qualifying Tournaments.
Larkin, 30, publicly disagreed with the sanctions via a lengthy message posted through a story on his personal Instagram account. Revealing his side of the story and continuous efforts to help the national team, he stressed being unable to play in the tournament due to a nagging knee injury, confirmed by the medical team of the federation.