EUROLEAGUE – Duo axed by Efes Pilsen over refusal to travel to Belgrade
ISTANBUL (Euroleague) - Efes Pilsen have released star players Drew Nicholas and Rashad Wright following the players’ decision to remain in Istanbul last week and not fly to Belgrade for a Euroleague game against Partizan. Loren Woods also chose to stay behind in Istanbul and is expected to be let go soon. The Americans did not travel because ...
ISTANBUL (Euroleague) - Efes Pilsen have released star players Drew Nicholas and Rashad Wright following the players’ decision to remain in Istanbul last week and not fly to Belgrade for a Euroleague game against Partizan.
Loren Woods also chose to stay behind in Istanbul and is expected to be let go soon.
The Americans did not travel because of security concerns in the wake of the United Nations’ recognition of Kosovo as an independent state.
Protests in the wake of the UN decision had led to objects being thrown at the United States Embassy in Belgrade as the Americans had been one of the leading voices calling for Kosovo to have political sovereignty.
The Efes Pilsen Americans opted not to travel to Belgrade, and now they are looking for new clubs.
Efes lost the game 87-65 to fall to 1-2 in Group D of the Top 16.
Andre Hutson was another American who did not travel but he was reinstated to the team at the weekend.
FIBA