Anthony Bennett has arrived in Istanbul in a positive frame of mind ahead of life with Fenerbahce.
After a few days of speculation, Bennett signed a season-long deal, worth $400,000 on Saturday as he became the second overall number one pick of the NBA Draft to join a EuroLeague club after Andrea Bargnani’s move to Baskonia in the summer.
Bennett is currently at the Turkish League All-Star game in Istanbul.
“I got a lot of information about this place. I know how big this team is and how big is the passion of the fans. I want to say that I am happy,” Bennett said.
Anthony Bennett İstanbul’da | https://t.co/rbTz1QiqBT pic.twitter.com/DPL27a0YBz
— Fenerbahçe Doğuş (@FBBasketbol) January 15, 2017
Fenerbahce is currently lying in sixth place of the EuroLeague table with a 10-7 record having fallen off the pace a little following a run of four defeats in their last six games having originally won their first four.
The 23-year-old Canadian comes to the Turkish giants looking for a second chance, having failed to live up to his billing as the number one overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, taking 33 games to register his first double-digit scoring game for the Cleveland Cavaliers in a 100-89 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
Yeni transferimiz @AnthonyBennett, ilk kez @UlkerSportArena'da! pic.twitter.com/P7B9WBtPuF
— Fenerbahçe Doğuş (@FBBasketbol) January 15, 2017
Bennett feels that having one of world basketball’s most successful coaches in seven-time EuroLeague champion Zeljko Obradovic will help him as the big man looks to make a name for himself in Istanbul.
“I know Obradovic is a great coach,” Bennett commented.
“By pushing my limits he will make me a better player. I am sure we’ll have a wonderful relationship. I will try to play my game. I know I am coming to an important club and I will do everything for it.”
