By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Reacting to the season-ending injury of Augusto Lima, Unicaja picked up Yankuba Sima, the team announced Thursday.
Per the press release: “Unicaja has reached an agreement in principle, pending medical examination, to incorporate the Spanish center Yankuba Sima (2.11 meters, 26 years old) until the end of this season. The player, international with the Spanish National Team, has extensive experience in Liga Endesa despite his youth, since he played 4 seasons in BAXI Manresa. After starting this season in the Italian Reyer Venezia, he returns to Spain to complete the Málaga roster after Augusto Lima‘s injury.”
Sima, 26, was released from his contract with Umana Reyer Venezia earlier Thursday. Since joining the Italian outfit, he tallied 3.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, 0.7 steals, 0.6 assists, and 0.4 blocks per contest over nine appearances in the 7DAYS EuroCup. Domestically, averaging 1.3 points and 2.0 rebounds per LBA Serie A game over six appearances illustrated his efforts. From his debut campaigns in both EuroCup and the top-flight division of Italy back to the Basketball Champions League and Spain’s Liga Endesa.
A veteran of 21 BCL games with Baxi Manresa, including reaching the championship game of the 2021-22 edition, he will meet the Malaga outfit in the Round of 16 of FIBA’s top-tier European club continental competition. Resuming the Champions League campaign in Group K of the next round, Ibon Navarro’s side will compete against Galatasaray Nef, AEK, and the winner of the Play-In Game 3 collision of MHP Ludwigsburg and Limoges CSP. At 10-5, Unicaja is tied for fifth in the standings of Spain’s Liga Endesa.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL