Three released at Efes Pilsen

March 1, 2008 by Christophe 

After the whole story about the four US born players of the Efes Pilsen Istanbul team who did not want to join Belgrade for security reason, the club officials have now made a decision.

According to different forums, the GM of Efes Pilsen Engin Özerhun said:

The four US players apologized before the management board and the team. But we accept only Andre Hutson’s apologies. The other players get rejected. First, Drew Nicholas contract will be canceled, after that, Rashad Wright and Loren Woods will be next.

So what is this move about? Efes Pilsen has started the season as a potential Final Four candidate. However, David Blatt did not manage to form a top class team so far. By releasing the three players, it looks like the management abandons the dream of joining Madrid in May.

But the team looks pretty limited without any new signings as they played nearly the whole game with their starters in Belgrade. Andre Hutson will be there, but will that be enough in a actually very competitive Turkish league. There are some players on the market like for example the recently released Tre Kelley who played in Cibona.

We will see what will go on in Istanbul but for Loren, Rashad and Drew, there will be anymore Efes Pilsener but Mountain Dew again. And for the fans, the Efes show will change its cast dramatically.

[youtube 4YoNPIe4goo]

Comments

12 Responses to “Three released at Efes Pilsen”

  1. Maku on March 1st, 2008 11:24 pm

    Any comments about why Hutson has been forgiven?

  2. Calvin on March 2nd, 2008 12:40 am

    I’m surprised Efes will release Loren Woods, he’s one of the best big men in europe.

  3. Arkadios on March 2nd, 2008 8:25 am

    Tre Kelly signed for Panellinios.

    Woods one of the best big men in Europe? Really doubt it…

  4. NameMe on March 2nd, 2008 8:51 am

    Woods one of the best big men? Ha ha, come on man!!!

  5. name on March 2nd, 2008 2:36 pm

    So what Hutson did different than other three players, that he wasn’t fired?

  6. DK on March 2nd, 2008 3:58 pm

    He apologised and claimed the rest of the players pressured him to go along with their decision.

  7. Noname on March 2nd, 2008 8:16 pm

    And where did u get that information?? A lot of times what gets put in the media is false.. Keep that in mind..

  8. DK on March 2nd, 2008 8:22 pm

    It could be false, but I don’t know why it would be. I read the news on sport24.gr (in greek).

  9. NameMe on March 2nd, 2008 9:33 pm

    If I knew Turkish I would write to Efes to tell them that they are everything but a serious club. They let Andre Hutson stay and play him today 30 mins - the same guy who bailed his team, was in Discorium partying his ass off with Drew and Rashad on Thursday while Efes was playing in Balgrade, has no f. guts to stand behind what he does and then plays today 30 mins against BJK. David Blatt is the most doublefaced and fake person I have ever seen! And the newspapers in turkey nor Turkbasket nor nobody says a damn thing. Too funny….

  10. Calvin on March 2nd, 2008 10:08 pm

    I think Loren Woods is a great player and good big men like him are hard to find.

  11. can on March 3rd, 2008 12:12 am

    Hutson stayed because he had apologised and did everything to stay. Other players didn’t talk to GM in private, they sent out their managers… But Hutson went to GM’s house and told he wanted to stay…
    Thats what happened…
    By the way Loren Woods and Rashad Wright should never come to Efes cause their class is out of Europe… Turkish players like Ermal, Kerem and Ender is a lot better than the others

  12. How Yao Ming gave Loren Woods a NBA roster spot : Ball in Europe - Basketball Blog on April 18th, 2008 10:34 am

    [...] Woods to a 10 day contract on March 21st. Yes, Loren Woods, the 2,18 meter guy from Efes Pilsen who got kicked out of the club for not traveling to [...]

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