News
Stats
Head-to-head: Caleb Agada, Prometey vs. Erkan Yilmaz, Turk Telekom

Head-to-head: Caleb Agada, Prometey vs. Erkan Yilmaz, Turk Telekom

Stats

26 April 20234 Mins read

Head-to-head: Caleb Agada, Prometey vs. Erkan Yilmaz, Turk Telekom

Two of the 7DAYS EuroCup's best pickpockets are set to face off in Wednesday's first semifinal, when Prometey Slobozhanske and do-it-all forward Caleb Agada comes up against Turk Telekom Ankara and swingman Erkan Yilmaz.

Agada enters the semifinals ranked second in the competition for steals with 2.3 steals per game, and he has recorded at least 1 in all but one of his 17 appearances, including 3 last week in the quarterfinals against Promitheas Patras. On the other hand, Yilmaz had 1 steal or more in 17 of his 20 games, and in 10 of those he has had multiple steals.

But both players have contributed way more to their teams than just what they can do on the defensive end of the floor.

For the 28-year-old, Agada that has been true all season, with the Canadian having enjoyed an impressive debut campaign in the EuroCup. He has been everywhere for Prometey, which is currently on a 13-game winning streak. Agada is Prometey's second-best scorer (14.8 ppg.), the team leader for assists (4.1 apg.), and he also averages 3.8 rebounds per game.

Agada scored in double figures in each of his 16 regular-season games, and Prometey missed him big in the eighthfinals after he picked up an injury in the second quarter of team's regular season finale. Agada returned last week and, even though he scored just 5 points, he had 7 assists, 3 steals and 3 rebounds in less than 15 minutes on the floor.

While Agada and Prometey hope he will be closer to full strength in the semis, Yilmaz has played some of his best basketball during the 2023 EuroCup Playoffs.

For Yilmaz, this is his third season in the EuroCup with a third Turkish team, as he first appeared in the competition with Banvit Bandirma in 2015-16 before later returning with Bahcesehir in 2020-21. Yet, this is by far the best season that the 25-year-old has had, posting 7.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.8 steals this season.

But Yilmaz took his game up a notch in the eighthfinals, amassing 8 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists in a come-from-behind win over Germani Brescia. Then, he had 2 points, 3 rebounds and another 5 assists as he helped Turk Telekom erase a 14-point deficit to beat ratiopharm Ulm.

Only one player has pulled down more rebounds in the first two rounds of the playoffs than Yilmaz, while he also ranks seventh in the EuroCup Playoffs with 5.0 steals per game.

Yilmaz and Agada now bring their all-round styles of play into the semifinals, with both determined to help their respective teams make history and reach the EuroCup Finals. There, a win against either Gran Canaria or Joventut Badalona would see it book its place in next year's Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.