From making history in the BCL to defeating a EuroLeague power, what a month of October it was for Maccabi's star guard.
Saben Lee's life-changing month
Article
3 Mins read
Regular Season
Round 7 of 34
Group Regular Season
w
l
l
l
w
l
l
w
w
l
A month ago, Saben Lee was virtually unknown to European basketball fans. Now he is a budding Turkish Airlines EuroLeague star with Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv. How did he get here?
Lee started his professional career in the USA, where he split time between the NBA and the G League. Lee played parts of four NBA seasons with three different clubs, averaging 5.2 points per game for the Detroit Pistons, Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns. Over the summer, Lee decided to play in Europe and joined Manisa Basket, a growing club that was promoted to the top league in Turkiye in 2022.
He played two Basketball Champions League games with Manisa and led the team to back-to-back victories. In both games, Lee was the BCL MVP of the Round with gaudy numbers. Manisa beat UCAM Murcia in Round 1 and Lee shocked everybody with 36 points on 14-of-14 free-throw shooting, 6 rebounds and 7 assists for a PIR of 39. He did even better in Round 2 against FMP Belgrade; Less tied the competition's scoring mark with 43 points in addition to 4 rebounds and 3 assists for a PIR of 41. When Jordan Loyd left Maccabi, management was first in line to make the move and bring Lee in.
Lee made sure he was noticed right away. In his first-ever EuroLeague game in Round 3 against Anadolu Efes Istanbul, he came off the bench for 23 points and 5 assists for a PIR of 26 in less than 23 minutes to lead Maccabi to a 93-91 victory. His first basket was one of the best dunks seen in the EuroLeague in recent years, a show-stopping slam that posterized Ercan Osmani.
Lee has continued rolling in recent weeks, going for 17 points against Zalgiris Kaunas and 13 against Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul despite not always practicing with his relatively new teammates during the week. In Round 7 against Real Madrid, Maccabi rallied from a 6-point deficit in the next-to-last minute to get within 77-78. When Maccabi got the ball back with 12.7 seconds remaining, it called timeout and turned to Lee. The guard took full responsibility, going at Gabriel Deck one-on-one and burying a contested jumper to win the game.
"It was amazing. He hit a big shot. Coach drew it up for him to get to his mid-range or whatever he was going to do on offense," Maccabi forward Jaylen Hoard said after the game. "It was a good job. Me, I was ready to crash the boards in case he missed but once I saw it going up, I knew it was good. So, big-time shot! It was a big win for us and hopefully, it can build momentum for the upcoming games and keep us on the winning track."
On October 1, Lee made his BCL debut with Manisa and only a few connoisseurs knew about his basketball abilities. At the end of the month, October 31, Lee buried a game-winning shot to beat Real Madrid, the winningest team in European basketball history, had one of the best dunks ever seen in the competition and adjusted perfectly to the EuroLeague, averaging 15.4 points, 3.4 assists and a PIR of 17.4.
"It was tough for me early on. I just tried to keep fighting, we knew it was going to be a tough battle so we just wanted to keep punching and keep going," Lee said after the game.
Game Videos
- 01:07
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/11/21/4x4ZMJD3kGTTfrJkScIZoCiByqzaZA1y-1732230979539.jpg]()
Facu Campazzo: 'When we play good defense, on offense we are really good'
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/hhv20iHb-5Q/maxresdefault.jpg]()
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan-Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv | RS Round 11 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/61_c3OfBC74/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Real Madrid-ALBA Berlin | RS Round 11 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:14
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/7ddf1970-44f0-4b86-988d-8dc686254c02.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A176%3A127]()
Hoard with the rejection! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/v2UN5hWpeio/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Real Madrid-Anadolu Efes Istanbul | RS Round 10 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:16
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/e1f211cb-36be-4c8d-8a31-94fe30fb058b.jpg?crop=635%3A357%3Anowe%3A326%3A72]()
Hezonja dunks over the entire defense! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/GAahGoLP8mc/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv–Olympiacos Piraeus | RS Round 10 highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:13
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/31e6c208-72dd-42db-9895-85ddf014dd37.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A26%3A21]()
Roman Sorkin blocks Fournier! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:11
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/74e3ce34-aaf0-4529-89b5-c6b74761e3cf.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A270%3A152]()
Gabriel rejects Walkup! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/fd78ace7-5814-4f5b-a066-c64bddf5c89b.jpg?crop=989%3A556%3Anowe%3A544%3A161]()
Saben Lee explodes to the rim! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/56072d45-57d4-4b71-b522-2c2c9a9d7f2c.jpg?crop=615%3A346%3Anowe%3A441%3A245]()
What a block by Wenyen Gabriel! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/AvLmSc__1do/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens-Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv | RS Round 9 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:41
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/11/12/YGqamKGqOJ1CZyARgCi40atgCbx6ADwD-1731450518806.jpg]()
Mario Hezonja: 'We started to take care of business'
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/sSNxEq5naNc/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Real Madrid-Virtus Segafredo Bologna | RS Round 9 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/4258f394-9387-49b1-b801-c3c744cc989a.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A147%3A190]()
Great dunk on the alley-oop by Sorkin! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:23
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/b6019cfa-5fb5-4733-8e69-909122e68393.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A109%3A32]()
Tavares says no! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/6ba17594-c852-416a-9cdd-d187cec4b294.jpg]()
Virtus Segafredo Bologna-Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv | RS Round 8 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:13
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/360da801-98c7-4a19-a140-c5eaddf94bfd.png?crop=750%3A422%3Anowe%3A0%3A115]()
Gabriel with a audacious alley-oop! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/2d480d1d-e06e-4dbe-be9f-960a3b855044.jpg?crop=1001%3A563%3Anowe%3A94%3A15]()
Monster dunk by Rivero! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/fba8d3f6-eeb2-4f9a-914f-1a8c4be416a7.jpg]()
EA7 Emporio Armani Milan-Real Madrid | RS Round 8 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/e0fc1c74-aa16-4e93-9f49-c3a0285b4074.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A112%3A93]()
Hezonja takes it all the way! Magic Moment
- 00:46
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/10/31/Olfm8OWfaYxx0MHrzxH6MRFq75WFisp9-1730412640000.jpg]()
Oded Kattash: ‘We showed character again’
- 00:26
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/10/31/nwdpextcnXqqmOe8UWzGq53uom3aVNYS-1730412340877.jpg]()
Saben Lee: ‘I just tried to keep fighting’
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/OxaAy3jW76I/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv-Real Madrid | RS Round 7 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:32
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/10/31/Rgy3pQD4lUTttFDG3HQ9nIkGvyMoStNF-1730413398184.png]()
Lee wins it! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night
- 00:17
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/67c3bc64-2078-40e4-a741-c4ebd53fc7e2.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A115%3A97]()
Real's ultimate team play! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:12
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/54bb91ae-a7f7-4961-908f-c0d02e999ea0.jpg?crop=1236%3A695%3Anowe%3A61%3A41]()
Hezonja beats the buzzer! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/c707c871-ddf5-4b4b-ab16-db7be93b74b4.jpg]()
Olympiacos Piraeus-Real Madrid | RS Round 6 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/b0ad83cf-78af-4183-9e7b-a436a7ab908f.jpg?crop=1536%3A864%3Anowe%3A192%3A108]()
Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul-Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv | RS Round 6 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:09
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/00717609-473e-431e-9904-269b08c9db1a.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A150%3A82]()
Campazzo’s behind-the-back assist! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/64cc1074-77e8-4210-83e4-edfb8fe30a3b.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A39%3A59]()
What a fine alley-oop from Jaylen Hoard! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/iep-HGj3XTU/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Real Madrid-Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade | RS Round 5 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:22
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/10/24/LrkhdoEt6Dq87MDhnYCVUiELhJtKWAS8-1729808468558.png]()
Campazzo superlative pass for Ndiaye dunk! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night
- 01:16
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/10/24/dZfHi8gkdO3K498GkoWzxdqwVX2wF9Qa-1729803264764.jpg]()
Facu Campazzo: 'Vinicius is awesome, he supports us'
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/7Fcwckn5wmA/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Zalgiris Kaunas-Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv | RS Round 5 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:15
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/672a2285-10dd-4148-95c7-39600813416c.jpg?crop=926%3A521%3Anowe%3A216%3A86]()
Great alley-oop dunk from Tavares! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:15
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/69f66d65-d666-473c-a9d2-dca4aa12f243.jpg?crop=764%3A430%3Anowe%3A83%3A160]()
Lee left Francisco on his backside before finishing! Motorola Magic Moment
- 01:39
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/10/17/868SH2IRWd8y8xg8ut3Z69Tjlb9sexjC-1729202406122.jpg]()
Facu Campazzo: 'Everybody who played did something positive'
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/1d7e067b-09a8-48ed-bb49-ef22f3dddc76.jpg]()
Real Madrid-Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens | RS Round 4 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/veqK9NE1Fw4/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade-Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv | RS Round 4 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:21
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/a70c806a-1220-4f62-8ff7-e4e0e4b48a6c.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A71%3A36]()
Campazzo delivers, Hezonja detonates! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:23
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/d596508b-d95a-4ac4-86d7-64da94998327.jpg?crop=1080%3A607%3Anowe%3A106%3A33]()
Ibaka the shot blocker! Motorola Magic Moment
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/zh3Bh8qRbm0/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv-Anadolu Efes Istanbul | RS Round 3 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:36
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/10/15/yW0E3t06dpnCC8BHaWX9OxS5ckBNNesl-1729029283670.png]()
Saben Lee announces himself to the EuroLeague! Motorola Magic Moment of the Night
- 00:46
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/10/15/5aLBkRfQ8S37y5MOfdIPcKXulvPaktWP-1729026751525.jpg]()
Saben Lee: 'This court has definitely shown me love'
![https://img.youtube.com/vi/V5ub0IWEYUM/maxresdefault.jpg]()
Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz-Real Madrid | RS Round 3 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
- 00:10
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/66ee3f49-5843-4067-8814-8487fbcb58a8.jpg?crop=1080%3A608%3Anowe%3A123%3A21]()
Deck rises for a block! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:14
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/dc56c11f-f38f-4f6b-9c95-128bf36942e3.jpg?crop=1236%3A695%3Anowe%3A57%3A59]()
Tavares’ big block! Motorola Magic Moment
- 00:22
![https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/073567fa-8c7f-4f5f-94da-e09672d25226.webp?crop=1920%3A1080%3Anowe%3A380%3A265]()
Saben Lee announces himself to the EuroLeague! Motorola Magic Moment
- 03:34
![https://dve-images.imggaming.com/original/p/2024/10/10/Y680JzYbicf37vIgf2iXWuycqONoxpIA-1728596818029.jpg]()
Real Madrid-Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade | RS Round 2 Highlights | 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague
Noting the tough travel schedule and the fact that Maccabi has been shorthanded, especially in the backcourt, due to injuries this season, Coach Oded Kattash said of the victory over Real: "We didn’t have legs. We were exhausted after the loss [to Fenerbahce] The players deserve credit. They showed a lot of heart. I can't take credit for great basketball. It’s a special win that gives us some breathing room."
Lee was at the top of the list of players who showed a lot of heart. And the best may be yet to come. Only time will tell what Saben Lee will be able to do for Maccabi this season.