By Meliksah Bayrav/ stuna@eurohoops.net
When you start the season with two straight defeats, it’s very easy to lose your balance, and then it all goes downhill.
However, an early test in the season can also bring the best out of you, and so far, that’s the story of Turk Telekom Ankara in the BKT EuroCup.
After a heartbreaking home defeat to ratiopharm Ulm in the first round and a road loss to Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse, the Turkish team was seemingly outmatched by two top contenders, and things were not looking good.
However, three weeks later, everything has changed with coach Erdem Can’s unit beating Buducnost VOLI Podgorica at home and the duo of Dolomiti Energia Trento and the London Lions on the road.
Things have also started to turn around for the team in the Turkish Basketball Super League. After opening the season with three straight losses, the team secured its first win at home in a comfortable victory over Petkimspor. Although it lost to reigning EuroLeague champions Fenerbahçe Beko Istanbul the following week, Turk Telekom showed significant resistance.
Most recently, Coach Can’s team secured its second league win by defeating Galatasaray MCT Technic at home.
Eurohoops takes a closer look at the reasons behind Turk Telekom’s resurgence after a rough start to the season.
What was going wrong, and what has improved
During the offseason, the club added players with BSL experience, such as Kyle Allman, Marko Simonovic, Jaleen Smith, Kris Bankston, Jordan Usher, Doguş Ozdemiroglu, and Yavuz Gultekin. It also managed to retain Kyle Alexander, one of last season’s breakout stars.
With this roster, expectations were high for them to be a serious contender in both the EuroCup and the BSL. However, the team started the season well below expectations. Both offensively and defensively, inconsistencies were evident.
In its EuroCup opener, Turk Telekom conceded 96 points at home against Ulm, followed by giving up 88 points to Bourg. The pattern wasn’t much different in the BSL, either.
While it held Beşiktaş GAIN Istanbul to 77 points in its first league game, it subsequently allowed 102 points against Bahçeşehir Koleji Istanbul and 85 points on the road to TOFAŞ. It became clear that there were serious issues on the defensive end, which translated into a series of defeats.
So the defensive improvement was the first step, and Turk Telekom delivered. The Ankara-based side earned its first EuroCup win on October 14 at home against Buducnost, holding its opponent to just 72 points. Notably, Buducnost scored over 80 points in each of its other four games this season.
The following week, Coach Can’s team faced Trento on the road and limited them to just 60 points. Turk Telekom won the game comfortably, 60-80, marking its second consecutive win.
This defensive consistency has also carried over into the BSL. The team’s first league win came in an 85-61 blowout against Aliağa Petkimspor, showcasing its defensive potential. Most recently, it edged past Galatasaray 83-81, holding the visitors’ high-powered offense to just 14 points in the final quarter.
A major factor in this turnaround has been the return of Kyle Alexander. One of the most effective rim protectors in last year’s EuroCup, the Canadian big man missed the first two games of this season due to injury. Turk Telekom lost both of the games he missed, but his return has significantly stabilized the team’s defense.
This stability is also reflected in the stats. Turk Telekom currently allows an average of just 78.6 points per game after five EuroCup games, placing it among the league’s top four defensive teams. Additionally, it allows just 16.2 assists per game, ranking sixth in that category.
Offensive improvements and Michael Devoe’s impact
On the offensive side, the emergence of Michael Devoe has been crucial for Turk Telekom. The 25-year-old scorer missed the first three EuroCup games due to injury, but he made a strong impact upon his return. In the comfortable road win over Trento, he posted 14 points and 5 rebounds. In the recent win over Galatasaray, he contributed 12 points and 5 rebounds.
Devoe’s return has helped balance the team’s guard rotation. The two primary ball-handlers, Kyle Allman and Jaleen Smith, can occasionally struggle to score. In particular, Allman’s inconsistent outside shooting allows opposing teams to sag off and contain him more easily.
Having a scoring threat like Devoe in the mix has alleviated some of the scoring burden on Allman and Smith. Coach Can’s squad has now scored at least 80 points in each of its last five games in both the EuroCup and BSL, displaying much more offensive balance compared to earlier in the season.
This balance is also evident in the team’s assist numbers. Turk Telekom currently averages 19.2 assists per game in the EuroCup, ranking seventh among 20 teams – an indicator of improved ball movement.
Back on track
Winning five of its last six games across the EuroCup and BSL, Turk Telekom has made a serious recovery after starting 0-5 in both competitions. Its only loss during this resurgence came against the reigning EuroLeague champions, Fenerbahçe Beko.
Not only is Turk Telekom back on track, but it wasn’t just behind the play of one player; in the EuroCup, there are six players averaging a double-digit number of points.
Kyle Allman (14 ppg), Jaleen Smith (12.8 ppg), Kris Bankston (11 ppg), Marko Simonovic (10.6 ppg), Kyle Alexander (10.3 ppg), and Jordan Usher (10.3 ppg) have created a six-headed offensive monster that, despite a slow start, has many options and a very positive future outlook.
Looking ahead at its schedule, Turk Telekom seems well-positioned to maintain this positive momentum.
This week, the team will host Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens in its sixth EuroCup Group B game – and it is the clear favorite. With Panionios having lost four of its five EuroCup games, this game presents a strong opportunity for Turk Telekom to extend its winning streak in the competition.
This turnaround is not happening by accident. Erdem Can has vast coaching experience, including being the head coach of Anadolu Efes Istanbul and working as an assistant in the NBA.
Looking at the roster, Turk Telekom arguably has one of the most battle-tested squads in this year’s EuroCup. Star guard Kyle Allman has been a key member in the past of Paris Basketball and Beşiktaş. Jaleen Smith, with notable EuroLeague experience, is among the most seasoned and high-IQ guards in the EuroCup.
Kyle Alexander proved last season how valuable he can be at this level. His new frontcourt partner, Marko Simonovic, complements him well with his three-point shooting threat and interior finishing ability.
Putting all of this together, it’s clear that Turk Telekom has the potential to make a deep run in the EuroCup.
Moreover, under Coach Can, Turk Telekom reached the competition’s finals in 2023. This time, the goal is to get over the finish line.