By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Ercan Osmani is returning to action to play for Anadolu Efes versus Dubai in Istanbul’s Turkcell Basketball Development Center later Friday.
The 27-year-old forward/center missed Round 16 of the 2025-26 EuroLeague Regular Season due to illness, but his side prevailed over Zalgiris in Zalgirio Arena on Wednesday. Recovering, he was announced as available for the Round 17 fixture.
Over the previous 15 team showings in Europe’s premier club competition, Osmani tallied 12.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.3 blocks per contest. He started in all 15 games.
Sehmus Hazer (ankle), Nick Weiler-Babb (foot), Vincent Poirier (knee), Isaia Cordinier (knee), and Erkan Yilmaz (Achilles) were also cleared by the medical staff. In contrast, Shane Larkin (groin), Burak Can Yildizli (wrist), PJ Dozier Jr. (thigh), and Giorgos Papagiannis (knee) remain on the injury list for head coach Pablo Laso.
Dört oyuncumuz bugün sahaya çıkamayacak:
*Shane Larkin
*Burak Can Yıldızlı
*PJ Dozier
*Georgios PapagiannisAltı oyuncumuz ise sakatlıklarına rağmen maç kadromuzda yer alacaklar:
*Şehmus Hazer (ayak bileği)
*Ercan Osmani (üst solunum yolu enfeksiyonu)
*Nick Weiler-Babb… pic.twitter.com/sJqequZr9V— Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) December 19, 2025
On the opposite side, Dzanan Musa (knee), Boogie Ellis (hamstring), Nate Mason (back), and Mouhammadou Jaiteh (Achilles) have been officially listed as out, with Klemen Prepelic and Dwayne Bacon (thumb) considered questionable, and Aleksa Avramovic is doubtful. The remaining players on the team coached by Jurica Golemac are healthy.
Entering Round 17, both sides are looking for a path back into the postseason picture, with Dubai at 7-9 and 1.5 games away from the Play-In Showdown zone, and Efes at 6-10.
Beyond the EuroLeague, a 6-5 tally in the Turkiye Sigorta Basketbol Super Ligi Regular Season placed Laso’s side in a tie at sixth place, trailing leader Besiktas Gain by five games. The team based in the United Arab Emirates is first in Group A of the AdmiralBet ABA League Regular Season behind a perfect 8-0 start.