29th of September the Turkish Basketball Superleague will be underway in its new season. I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge this and share a table and insight created based on the movement of players that have occurred thus far:
| Team | Play makers | Shooter | Wing / Small Forward | Stetch Big | Center | Coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALİAĞA PETKİMSPOR | David Efianayi, Yunus Sonsırma | Kristers Zoriks, Tayfun Erülkü | Peyton Aldridge, Emre Tanışan | Jeremy Simmons, Mahir Agva | Burak Gören | |
| ANADOLU EFES | Darius Thompson, Doğuş Özdemiroğlu, Erten Gazi | Shane Larkin, Rodrigue Beaubois | Will Clyburn, Elijah Bryant, Erkan Yılmaz | Derek Willis | Ante Zizic, Tibor Pleiss, Tyrique Jones | Erdem Can |
| BAHÇEŞEHİR KOLEJİ | Tony Taylor, Arca Tülüoğlu | Muhammed Baygül, Kartal Özmizrak | Axel Bouteille, Can Maxim Mutaf | Tyler Cavanaugh, Berkay Candan, Hadi Özdemir | Jerry Boutsiele, Egemen Güven, Ahmet Safa Yılmaz | Sinan Atalay |
| BEŞİKTAŞ | Derek Needham, Berk Uğurlu, Yağız Aksu | Jonah Mathews, Yiğit Arslan | Matt Mitchell, Egehan Arna, Kerem Konan | Leyton Hammonds, Berkan Durmaz | Angel Delgado, Samet Yiğitoğlu | Dusan Alimpijevic |
| INFO YATIRIM BURSASPOR | Ömer Utku Al, Mithat Can Özalp | Jordan Floyd, David Mutaf | Anthony Brown, Berkay Taşkıran | Michael Young, Metin Türen | Johnny Hamilton, Ahmet Can Duran | Jure Zdovc |
| ÇAĞDAŞ BODRUMSPOR | Chris Warren, Can Uğur Öğüt | Dominic Artis, Cavit Havsa | Jaron Johnson, Erkan Veyseloğlu, Ahmet Cantitiz | Ben Moore, Hakan Yapar | Amir Alibegovic, Ege Arar, Berkay Genç | Ender Arslan |
| DARÜŞŞAFAKA LASSA | Kyle Allman, Can Korkmaz, Eray Büyükcangaz | Mason Jones, Rıdvan Öncel, Doruk Dora | Muhammad Rahkman, Canberk Kuş | Todd Withers, Berk Demir, Kılıçarslan Şenkahya | David McCornack, Muhsin Yaşar, Hakan Sayalı | Yakup Sekizkök |
| FENERBAHÇE BEKO | Nick Calathes, Yam Madar, Şehmus Hazer | Scottie Wilbekin, Tyler Dorsey, Melih Mahmutoğlu | Dyshawn Pierre, Marko Guduric, Metecan Birsen | Nigel Hayes Davis, Nate Sestina, Nemanja Bjelica | Sertaç Şanlı, Johnathan Motley, George Papagiannis | Dimitris Itoudis |
| GALATASARAY NEF | Corey Walden, İsmet Akpınar, Ege Tan Yıldızoğlu | Jonah Radebaugh, Buğrahan Tuncer | Göksenin Köksal, Akwasi Yeboah | Sadık Emir Kabaca, Jarell Martin | Miralem Halilovic, Samet Geyik | Zvezdan Mitrovic |
| MANİSA BÜYÜKŞEHİR BELEDİYESİ | Fatts Russell, John Roberson, Kaan Sarıaslan | Pako Cruz, Dorukhan Engindeniz, Berkay Sinirlioğlu | Sinan Sağlam, James Anderson | Ryan Luther, Ayberk Olmaz, Mustafa Görür | Emanuel Terry, Berke Atar, Tolga Kaan Birer | Ahmet Kandemir |
| ONVO BÜYÜKÇEKMECE BASKETBOL | Ata Kahraman, Can Kurt | Marcquise Reed, Leon Apaydın | Erdi Gülaslan, Ali Güneş | Evan Bruinsma, Yesukan Onar | Emircan Koşut | Özhan Çıvgın |
| PINAR KARŞIYAKA | Errick McCollum, Kenan Sipahi, Ali Efe Barış | Jaylon Brown, Thomas Akyazılı | Kelan Martin, Ergi Tırpancı | Vitto Brown, Mert Celep | Furkan Haltalı, Deniz Kılıçlı | Ufuk Sarıca |
| TOFAŞ | Cassius Winston, Bora Satır, Özgür Cengiz | Caleb Homesley, Mustafa Kurtuldum, Tevfik Akdamar | J.J. O’Brien, Omar Prewitt, Tolga Geçim | Luke Maye, Zeljko Sakic | Austin Wiley, Ege Demir | Orhun Ene |
| TÜRK TELEKOM | Tyrone Wallace, İsmail Cem Ulusoy, Mehmet Yağur | Jalen Adams, James Palmer, Boran Güler | Markis McDuffs, Okben Ulubay, Batuhan Acar | Yiğitcan Saybir, Troy Selim Sav, Mevlüt Melih Doğan | Steven Enouch, Metehan Akyel, Arda Özdoğan | Nenad Canak |
| YILPORT SAMSUNSPOR | Matt Mooney, Eray Aydoğan | Arda Berk Kaya, Ahmet Şenel | Göktüğ Baş, Mert Sert | Engin Kalkan | Sagaba Konate, Doğan Şenli, Tarık Sezgün | İlker Salman |
| YUKATEL MERKEZEFENDİ BELEDİYE | Ömer Yasir Küçük | Vrenz Bleijenbergh, Çağatay Özkan, Bertan Bastan | Berke Aygündüz, Oktay Güneş | Alihan Demir | Daniel Oturu, Görkem Doğan, İsmail Karabilen | Zafer Aktaş |
The Dual Titans: Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahçe Beko
When we talk about the Turkish Basketball Super League (BSL), two names immediately come to mind: Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahçe Beko. These teams are not just powerhouses in Turkey but also in the EuroLeague. Their rosters are stacked with talent, both domestic and international. Anadolu Efes, for instance, boasts a strong lineup with playmakers like Darius Thompson and sharpshooters like Shane Larkin. Fenerbahçe Beko is no different, with Nick Calathes running the point and a strong frontcourt featuring Sertaç Şanlı.
The Dark Horses: Beşiktaş, Pinar Karşıyaka, and Yukatel Merkezefendi
While the spotlight often shines on the big names, let’s not forget the teams that could surprise us this season. Beşiktaş has a balanced roster with Derek Needham at the helm, and their depth could be a game-changer. Pinar Karşıyaka, led by Errick McCollum, is another team to watch. They have a good mix of young talent and experienced players. Yukatel Merkezefendi is the wildcard here. They may not have the star power, but their teamwork and strategy could take them far.
Don’t Count Them Out: Tofaş and Manisa
Tofaş and Manisa BBSK are two teams that you can’t afford to overlook. Tofaş has a strong roster with Cassius Winston and Caleb Homesley, who can light it up from beyond the arc. Manisa, on the other hand, has added James Anderson to their roster, strengthening their small forward position. These teams have the potential to disrupt the status quo and make a run for the league title.
Week 1 Matchups to Watch
The first week of the Turkish BSL is packed with intriguing matchups. Darüşşafaka Lassa vs. Beşiktaş is a game that could set the tone for the rest of the season. Türk Telekom vs. Info Yatırım Bursaspor will be a battle of the mid-table teams, and it’s anyone’s game. Anadolu Efes vs. Onvo Büyükçekmece will be a litmus test for Onvo Büyükçekmece’s young roster. Fenerbahçe Beko vs. Çağdaş Bodrum could be a one-sided affair, but never underestimate the underdog. Other matchups like Aliağa Petkim vs. Pınar Karşıyaka and Manisa BBSK vs. Bahçeşehir Koleji are also worth your time.
The Psychology of Winning
In basketball, talent is essential, but the mental aspect of the game is often underestimated. Teams like Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahçe Beko not only have skilled players but also a winning mentality. This psychological edge is what separates the good teams from the great ones. The ability to stay focused, work as a unit, and execute under pressure are key factors that contribute to a team’s success.
Food for thought
The Turkish Basketball Super League is more than just a two-horse race. While Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahçe Beko are the favorites, the league is full of teams capable of causing upsets. From the dark horses like Beşiktaş and Pinar Karşıyaka to potential disruptors like Tofaş and Manisa, this season promises to be an exciting affair. Keep an eye on the Week 1 matchups; they could very well be a preview of what’s to come.
