Fenerbahce got their 2025/26 EuroLeague campaign off to a strong start with a victory over Paris, but the result itself was not the only headline of the night.
Much of the post-game attention centered around the dazzling debut of their newest recruit from the NBA, Talen Horton-Tucker.
The 24-year-old guard/forward, who previously played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz, and Chicago Bulls, arrived in Istanbul this summer after amassing 305 regular-season appearances in the NBA.
In his very first EuroLeague outing, Horton-Tucker wasted little time making an impression, scoring 20 points in just 20 minutes on the floor.
Speaking to Eurohoops after the win, he reflected on the emotions of playing his first game in Europe’s top competition.
“I started the game a bit slowly, just trying to get the jitters out and stay in the flow of the game. The coach trusted me and put me in during the second half, and that meant a lot to me.”
A major theme in his comments was the influence of head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius, whose demanding style is well-known across the continent. Horton-Tucker acknowledged how that intensity already pushed him to raise his level.
“Him staying on me pretty hard, He doesn’t let nobody slack. Having a coach who holds you to high standards makes you hold yourself to a higher standard when you play. That’s why I was able to play a lot better in the second half.”
Fenerbahce enters this season as the reigning EuroLeague champion, having completed a historic treble last year.
Despite their success, the club made several changes over the summer to refresh the roster, with Horton-Tucker being one of the most high-profile additions. He admitted that adjusting to the new environment is still a process, but one he embraces.
“This was the first game playing together. I joined the team a bit late, so considering that, it was a very good first game. I just want to continue to gel with the guys – we have a great group.”
As for his personal goals and expectations with the Turkish powerhouse, Horton-Tucker made his ambition clear.
“I feel like the sky is the limit. The main goal is to win the championship again in every league we play. If we can repeat last season’s success, that would be perfect. Personally, I just want to play the best that I can and see where that takes me,” he concluded.
“He doesn’t let nobody slack”
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) October 2, 2025
Talen Horton-Tucker talked to @EurohoopsTR after his #Euroleague debut about coach Saras, Fenerbahçe Beko, and the goal of repeatinghttps://t.co/mEawD1gJHc
