Anadolu Efes Istanbulsucesfully defended its Turkish Airlines EuroLeague crown last season after defeating Olympiacos Piraeus and Real Madrid in the Final Four in Belgrade. Expectations remain high for head coach Ergin Ataman's team, as Efes has been able to keep hold of its star guard duo, Shane Larkin and Vasilije Micic. What's more, the team has added 2019 EuroLeague Final Four MVP Will Clyburn to its roster, in addition to Achille Polonara and Ante Zizic. There is just one thing on Efes's mind going into the new EuroLeague season: securing the three-peat.
BACKCOURT
The incredible success that Efes has achieved in the last four seasons is largely down to the tremendous play of its two lead guards, Shane Larkin and Vasilije Micic. Since the arrival of Larkin and Micic in 2018, Efes has gone on to reach every possible EuroLeague Championship Game – and it has lifted the trophy in the latter two seasons. Going into the new campaign, Coach Ataman knows that he can rely on Micic, the 2022 Final Four MVP, and Larkin to maintain Efes's high-quality play in the backcourt. Should they average similar numbers to last year – a combined 32.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 9.9 assists and 2.4 steals – Efes will no doubt be among the top teams in the EuroLeague once again. Then, backing up the two starting guards, Efes also has the likes of Rodrigue Beaubois, Elijah Bryant and Dogus Balbay, who all know the team's system and have shown that they can make an impact when they are on the court. Particularly in the cases of Beaubois and Bryant, who averaged 9.2 points and 5.3 points, respectively, and they could play important roles.