A long love affair. Possibly unprecedented for a foreign player. At least in the history of Anadolu Efes.
Shane Larkin has signed a four-year contract extension with the Turkish club. A few days ago, the player took to social media to reject a two-year deal. In reality, the marriage will last much longer.
In two years’ time, Larkin could join Bryant Dunston as the player with the most seasons in white and blue. Eight in all.
Shane Larkin would make it 10. The 1992-born Cincinnati native arrived in Europe in 2016 after stints with the Mavs, Knicks and Nets.
He takes the place of Mike James in a team that has just returned from a sensational run to the Final Four of the EuroLeague in Berlin after a 3-0 win over Panathinaikos.
Sito Alonso replaces Velimir Perasovic on the bench, but the results will be excellent: ACB semi-final, EuroLeague play-off against Cska.
Shane Larkin’s gradual but inexorable rise to prominence attracted the attention of Barcelona, along with teammate Adam Hanga and coach Alonso himself.
A lengthy negotiation ensued, with the Basque club’s demands leading to a stalemate. Larkin dropped out and returned to the NBA, to the Celtics. Performances are not bad, but space is at a premium. And in 2018, here is the first deal with Efes.
It is the beginning of an incredible story, even more so when you consider that this team was born in the middle of the era of Zeljko Obradovic’s great Fenerbahce, the first Turkish team to win a EuroLeague title, in 2017 in the final with Olympiacos.
Three domestic titles, three Super Cups, a Turkish Cup and, most importantly, two EuroLeague titles in 2021 and 2022 with Vasilje Micic and Ergin Ataman on the bench will go down in history.
On an individual level, he has been first team, second team, player of the month on three occasions and a member of the Turkish national team.
And the story goes on.
— Shane Larkin (@shanelarkin) May 3, 2024
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