Anadolu Efes Istanbul strengthened its guard rotation by signing Saben Lee for the remainder of the 2025-26 season, the club announced on Monday.
Lee, 26, arrives from Olympiacos Piraeus, bringing two seasons of EuroLeague experience and previous stints with Maccabi Tel Aviv and Manisa Basket.
In 11 EuroLeague games this season with Olympiacos, Lee averaged 3.4 points and 1.4 assists in 11:24 minutes per game while shooting 36.4% from beyond the arc. He played 13 games in his first season with the Reds, posting 4.5 points and 2.0 assists over 16:17 minutes.
Prior to joining Olympiacos in February 2025, Lee played in Turkey with Manisa Basket and briefly with Maccabi, averaging 12.0 points and 2.5 assists in eight EuroLeague appearances. His performance with Manisa included ranking among league leaders in scoring and assists, and a 43-point Basketball Champions League outing tied the competition’s single-game scoring record.
Lee began his professional career in the NBA, appearing in 134 games with the Detroit Pistons, Philadelphia 76ers, and Phoenix Suns, averaging 5.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. He also spent time in the G League with Motor City Cruise, Delaware Blue Coats, and Raptors 905 after playing collegiately at Vanderbilt University.
Anadolu Efes currently sits 17th in the EuroLeague standings with a 6-12 record, struggling to find consistency. The addition of Lee is expected to add depth and playmaking to the Efes backcourt as they look to climb the standings.
The 1.88-meter guard’s combination of European experience and NBA pedigree gives Efes a versatile option in both scoring and distributing the ball, which could prove pivotal in upcoming matchups. Lee’s ability to stretch the floor and contribute defensively aligns with coach Ergin Ataman’s plans to enhance perimeter rotations.
Efes will aim to integrate Lee quickly, using his experience in late-game scenarios and his familiarity with European competition to stabilize a backcourt that has struggled with turnovers and spacing.
