By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Petr Cornelie was the latest impressive signing announced by Esenler Erokspor.
The 30-year-old forward/center parted ways with AS Monaco to complete his transfer to the new Turkiye Sigorta Basketbol Super Ligi outfit on Wednesday.
The team based in Istanbul was founded in 2022, with success amounting to a promotion to the top-tier division of Turkiye for the first time, heading to the 2025-26 season.
Before the addition of the French forward/center on a one-year contract, Thomas Akyazili, Egehan Arna, Ahmet Duverioglu, Langston Galloway, JaKeenan Gant, Erten Gazi, Jermaine Love, Tre’Shawn Thurman, and Ozan Yilmaz were picked up for new head coach Ufuk Sarica, and Metehan Akyel, Jordan Crawford, and Jeremy Simmons were re-signed.
Cornelie brings the experience of a Turkish Airlines EuroLeague championship with Real Madrid, 13 appearances in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets, a Betclic Elite championship with Monaco in 2024, and a Leaders Cup title with Le Mans in 2016.
Over the last three years, he played in 78 EuroLeague games, including 17 in the 2024-25 edition of Europe’s premier club continental competition, amounting to 2.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.4 steals, and 0.1 blocks per contest with La Roca Team.
His international career with France is highlighted by a silver medal in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in 2021. The native of Calais also suited up in the Qualifiers of the FIBA World Cup 2023 and EuroBasket 2025, following up on his junior run between 2012 and 2015.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net