'No-brainer': Will Clyburn reveals his reasoning for joining Efes / News - Basketnews.com

Will Clyburn talked to BasketNews about his decision to leave CSKA Moscow and take on a new challenge with back-to-back EuroLeague champions Anadolu Efes.

Credit: Anadolu Efes Istanbul Credit Anadolu Efes Istanbul

A few minutes after the 2022 EuroLeague Final Four in Belgrade was over and Anadolu Efes Istanbul were crowned champions for the second time in a row, the breaking news that came to light was overpowering: the Turkish club had agreed terms with Will Clyburn for the next two seasons.

Will Clyburn

Team:Anadolu Efes IstanbulPosition:SFAge:32Height:201 cmWeight:95 kgBirth place:United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

Clyburn, 32, had been on an expiring contract with his previous team, CSKA Moscow,when the word was out. That's why his departure from the Russian capital hardly impressed anyone.

But for him to get a new deal so quickly, even before the Turkish playoffs tipped off, was something that very few expected.

Efes officially confirmed the news of the imminent deal on June 7, almost two weeks after the Final Four and on the same day the Turkish league Finals began. Announcing Clyburn didn't help Efes retain their domestic title, as Fenerbahce Beko prevailed by 3-1 in the series that decided the champion.

But Clyburn was already in Istanbul, the city where his EuroLeague career started in 2016. An impressive stint with Hapoel Holon caught the attention of David Blatt, who brought him over to Darussafaka.

"I've had some good people in my corner through the process," Clyburn explains to BasketNews.

"I owe a big thanks to Dan Shamir, who jumpstarted my EuroLeague career. He got me in touch with David Blatt, and that's how everything started. I'm forever thankful to him."

Credit Anadolu Efes

Shamir, an Israeli coach who had worked as an assistant to Ettore Messina at CSKA in 2013-14 and has recently re-joined forces with him at EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, can be credited with discovering Clyburn and giving him the chance to shine after a couple of seasons with Ulm in Germany.

Clyburn's numbers in the Winner League couldn't have gone unnoticed - 20.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game would have been enough to catch the eye of any EuroLeague team.

In his case, it was the up-and-coming Dacka who first gave him the chance to shine. In his debut EuroLeague season, the Michigan-born forward averaged 13.0 points and 5.1 rebounds on a squad that made the playoffs.

Five years later, Clyburn returns to one of the cities he's particularly fond of.

"I've been here before, so it was kind of familiar to me. Istanbul is a great city and has a lot to offer. I haven't been to a bad place since I came overseas. You can ask me about any place, and I've enjoyed everywhere I've been to. Istanbul is no different," he stresses.

What Clyburn says about enjoying life in every city also applies to his next destination after Istanbul. Moscow welcomed him with open arms, and he returned the favor with five seasons of great basketball, and a EuroLeague title won against his current team in 2019.

That's why even when Russia invaded Ukraine in late February and American players were leaving both countries, he chose to stay instead.

When the time came for him to leave and write a farewell note, he didn't forget to mention that his family "had been in Russia for most of our kids' childhood. This was truly home away from home."

"To be honest, from the outside looking in, everything looks bad," Clyburn admits.

"But me being there, I never felt uncomfortable, never felt any different because of what was going on. The organization was still professional. I enjoyed myself in the city, and everything was completely normal for me there."

Clyburn played 236 games with CSKA, averaging 12.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. In addition to the EuroLeague, he won a series of personal accolades, including the EuroLeague Final Four MVP award in 2019, an All-EuroLeague First Team that same year, and a Second Team selection in 2021.

When Efes came along, Clyburn had to make a tough call.

"It wasn't an easy decision to make," he reflects.

"I was at CSKA for five years, and I planned on continuing. I had technically signed a contract extension before everything happened. It wasn't easy for me to leave, but I'm happy with the opportunity."

After the war broke out, Clyburn and his agent took some time to look at offers. However, it didn't take them too long to make a decision.

"We had a little time, but obviously, you're going to go to a place you feel comfortable at - and at the same time, where you have the chance to win. Efes is definitely a place that gives me that chance. I'm not sure about who showed interest in me, but when Efes came to the picture, it was a no-brainer."

Clyburn goes on to say that the element that most attracted him to the two-time EuroLeague champions was "the opportunity to play with some great guys and great players."

"No one really needed to talk to me about it. No one needed to convince me or try to bring me somewhere. It was one of those situations where I wanted to be a part of it," he explains.

The amount of star power Efes can bring to the table is almost unprecedented for European basketball standards.

The Turkish side now accommodates the last three Final Four MVPs (Clyburn 2019, Vasilije Micic 2021, 2022). At least one member of this Big 3 was named to the All-EuroLeague First team every year since the 2018-19 season. Also, all three players made the Top 6 in scoring last season.

"Obviously, it looks great from the outside looking in," Clyburn comments. "But when you get here, you see the relationship between the players, and you can tell why they've gotten to this point."

Efes kicked off their 2022-23 campaign in strong fashion, winning the Turkish Super Cup. However, heir pre-season performances, especially against Umana Reyer Venezia in Italy and Panathinaikos in Athens, indicated a team that has turned slow starts into a habit.

There are many reasons for it, though. Shane Larkin is out for the next five weeks with a finger injury, Vasilije Micic is trying to recover from the EuroBasket hangover, while Clyburn is a new entry.

"It's going good. Obviously, it's still early. I'm still adjusting to the changes, trying to find my way with the team," he says.

In the Pavlos Giannakopoulos tournament, Clyburn scored 9 points against hosts Panathinaikos BC Athens and 12 vs. Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv.

Credit Vangelis Stolis

The EuroLeague is expected to be extremely competitive this season, and Clyburn is aware of it.

"The competition is always good, and it gets better every year. I haven't seen it have a decline yet. It's going to be another exciting season for sure," he maintains.

For EuroLeague and Anadolu Efes fans, in particular, the main question is whether Ergin Ataman's squad can lift their third straight EuroLeague trophy. Clyburn says he prefers not to think so far ahead.

"I haven't thought about it. I don't want to put that type of pressure on me or the team to think about the third. I want to take it day by day."

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