Anadolu Efes Istanbul has secured the services of American forward Cole Swider for the 2025-26 campaign, the Turkish club announced Monday.
The 26-year-old joins after spending parts of three seasons in the NBA, most recently splitting time between the Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, and the G League.
Swider’s latest stint came with Toronto, where he posted 7.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in eight games during the 2024-25 season. He made an impact from beyond the arc, maintaining his reputation as a high-level perimeter threat.
In the G League, Swider delivered standout performances, averaging 21.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and hitting 44.2 percent from deep over 31 games. His scoring arsenal was on full display in a 36-point outburst for the South Bay Lakers, coming just a day after joining from the Motor City Cruise.
A graduate of Villanova and Syracuse, Swider went undrafted in 2022 but signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he began his professional career. He later spent time with the Miami Heat and their Sioux Falls affiliate before moving between Detroit and Toronto.
Efes, led by head coach Igor Kokoskov, has a track record of attracting former NBA talent, aiming to blend experience and skill in their push for EuroLeague success. Swider’s arrival addresses a need for consistent outside shooting and floor spacing in Kokoskov’s system.
With 35 NBA games under his belt, Swider arrives in Istanbul seeking a larger role and more consistent minutes than he found in the United States. Efes’s fast-paced, perimeter-oriented offense could provide the ideal platform for him to thrive.
