By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Anadolu Efes has officially strengthened its backcourt for the upcoming 2026–27 season by securing the signature of explosive point guard Daron Russell.
Fatts steps up to Europe’s premier club competition following a spectacular campaign with Romanian powerhouse U-BT Cluj-Napoca. Over 19 BKT EuroCup appearances last season, 28-year-old Russell asserted himself as one of the continent’s most lethal offensive weapons, leading the entire league in scoring with an average of 19.8 points per game, alongside 6.2 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals. His dominant performances earned him a spot on the All-EuroCup Second Team.
His magnificent year in Romania extended far beyond continental play, as he guided Cluj-Napoca to a domestic treble. His success also translated to the international stage, where he debuted for the senior national team of Romania as a naturalized player, appearing in six FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers.
Before conquering Romania, the Philadelphia native built a formidable reputation across the European landscape. After concluding a standout collegiate career spent at Rhode Island and Maryland, he went undrafted in 2022 and launched his professional journey in Montenegro with Mornar-Barsko zlato. He immediately made history, shattering the AdmiralBet ABA League single-game scoring record with a 47-point masterclass.
Moving to Turkiye, he gained vital experience across 14 Basketball Champions League games and nine FIBA Europe Cup matches during impactful stints with Galatasaray Nef, Manisa, and Karsiyaka. Now entering his prime, Russell arrives at Efes ready to make his mark on the EuroLeague stage.
💙 Welcome to Anadolu Efes, Daron “Fatts” Russell!
🤩 Geçtiğimiz sezon U-BT Cluj-Napoca formasıyla EuroCup Sayı Kralı olan ve takımıyla Romanya Ligi şampiyonluğuna uzanırken final serisinin MVP’si seçilen Daron “Fatts” Russell, 2026-2027 sezonunda takımımız için mücadele… pic.twitter.com/7HNp2pA27X
— Anadolu Efes SK (@AnadoluEfesSK) August 14, 2026
The Istanbul outfit has previously welcomed Bruno Fernando, Mike James, Collin Malcolm, Dario Saric, Matthew Strazel, and Santi Yusta during the offseason, while Jordan Loyd, Isaia Cordinier, PJ Dozier Jr., David Mutaf, Burak Can Yildizli, Erkan Yilmaz, Ercan Osmani, Giorgos Papagiannis, and Kai Jones remain on the roster for Pablo Laso’s side.
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