Efes adds playmaker Oncel on loan

Efes has found some backcourt help to alleviate its spate of injuries.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul continues adding players to a roster depleted by injury by announcing that playmaker Ridvan Oncel has joined the team on loan until the end of the season. Oncel (1.91 meters, 26 years old) arrives from Darussafaka Istanbul ,where he averaged 9.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists in the Turkish League this season, as well as 5.4 points and 3.4 assists in the Basketball Champions League.

At Efes, Oncel will reunite with head coach Erdem Can, center Tyrique Jones and injured forward Erkan Yilmaz, who were all together with Turk Telekom Ankara last season, reaching the EuroCup Finals as well as the Turkish League playoff final. Last season in EuroCup, Oncel started in 19 of 21 appearances, playing 12:24 minutes per game and posting 2.7 points and 1.5 assists.

Yilmaz is one of half-dozen regulars from Efes roster currently sidelined with injury who are all due out until beyond this week's game at Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, at least: center Ante Zizic, until mid-December with a calf injury; guard Rodrigue Beaubois, until late December with a back injury; forward Derek Willis, due out until January with a broken ring finger; and forward Will Clyburn, until early January with a leg injury. Center Tibor Pleiss hasn't played since Round 8, either. One player who might return to action in Round 14 for Efes is Elijah Bryant, who missed seven games, but is listed as questionable for a clash against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv.

Oncel previously played at Galatasaray Istanbul and also with Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul. Prior to that, Oncel spent eight years with Bandirma Kirmizi, club where he played in junior categories and later made his professional debut. He has also been a member of the Turkish national team, and has helped its U18 squad win a silver medal at the 2015 European Championships. He is now set for his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut.