Dimitris Itoudis wants the number of foreign players in the Turkish league to increase / News - Basketnews.com

Following the injuries of Tarik Biberovic and Ismet Akpinar, Dimitris Itoudis asked the Turkish federation to reconsider the number of non-domestic players allowed in the league.

Credit: Dainius Lukšta Credit Dainius Lukšta

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul downed Darussafaka 95-82, racking up their 12th Turkish league win in 14 games.

Points this season

49%82,8Points made:82,8Accuracy:49,4%Place in standings:5Record max:107Record min:66Best scorer:Johnathan MotleyTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

After a disappointing performance and a blowout loss in Kaunas, coach Dimitris Itoudis saw some reaction from his players. Melih Mahmutoglu paved the way with 15 points, followed by Nigel Hayes-Davis (14).

Marko Guduric (11), Metecan Birsen (10) and Nick Calathes (10 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists were also in double digits.

Can Korkmaz scored 21 points for Darussafaka, while Dogus Ozdemiroglu had 16 points and Aaron White 11 for the losing side.

"First of all, congratulations to my team. From the first quarter, the tone of the match was actually determined. We only had the opponent score a single point, only 8 free throw," Itoudis said in the postgame presser.

"Players realized how to play and they defended more aggressively. We have been trying to create a team identity that feeds on defense since the beginning of the season, so we try to force our opponents to turnovers and try to score points in transition," he continued.

The Greek coach pointed out that Tarik Biberovic, who will miss six weeks with a hamstring muscle of his right leg, and Ismet Akpinar (ankle sprain) couldn't help Fenerbahce.

Starting from the 2018-2019 season, every team in the Turkish BSL can sign up to ten non-Turkish players in a season and use five of them in a single game, per the Turkish Basketball Federation. Until 2018, the numbers were eight and six, respectively.

That's why Itoudis proposed that teams be allowed to use more non-domestic players in their BSL contests.

"I have to say that in a sport like basketball, where teams compete for certain positions, restrictions are placed for the benefit of the weak. When you put restrictions in this way, you support those who don't want to fight, the weak. I don't know, maybe they're afraid," Itoudis argued.

"Currently, the number of domestic players has decreased due to injuries, there may be more injuries in the next matches. I think it's time to review these restrictions," he added.

The two-time EuroLeague-winning head coach stressed that there are countries with fewer restrictions regarding foreign players, like Spain.

"There are countries that are very successful both at the level of national teams and on the club level. I think we should look more at them because their national team still gets excellent results. Maybe we should take them as an example," he said.

"Maybe now it's the time to take a look at these restrictions. I try to say this with the greatest respect possible to the federation and Turkey, but I believe that when there's a healthy organization, restrictions are only for weak people," Itoudis concluded.

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