Dzanan Musa talks his Efes days, denies receiving offer from Partizan / News - Basketnews.com

Real Madrid star Dzanan Musa talked about his one-season stint in Anadolu Efes Istanbul, why it did not work out for him, and denied receiving an offer from Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade.

Credit: D. Lukšta Credit D. Lukšta

Dzanan Musa has been one of the most effective offensive players in the EuroLeague since signing with Real Madrid in the summer of 2022.

Dzanan Musa

MIN:21.12PTS:13.88 (62.59%)REB:2.76As:2.21ST:0.21BL:0.21TO:1.24GM:33ProfileEuroLeague2023/2024

Although undeniably talented, it took Musa some time to find his rhythm in the continent's best basketball competition. Not only did he have a disappointing season in Anadolu Efes Istanbul in 2020-21, but he also took a brief detour in Rio Breogan in Liga Endesa in 2021-22, where he became the league's MVP and then found himself in Real Madrid.

Speaking to Nacional.hr, the Bosnian-Herzegovinian forward talked about what transpired in Efes, how he felt when he scored 40 points in a four-overtime win this season against the Turkish team and responded to rumors about receiving an offer from Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade.

"There must have been emotions, more than if I scored 40 points playing against another club," Musa said openly. "But I respect Efes. I didn't succeed there; we didn't meet as we should have."

"Look, they won the EuroLeague that year. The next year, they won the double crown, the Turkish championship, and the EuroLeague. I can't be dishonest and say that coach Ergin Ataman and the club didn't do a good job," the forward said, lauding Efes and its then-coach Ergin Ataman.

"I just didn't find myself there, and that's it. Things turned around, and last year, I won the EuroLeague with Real, and I was selected in the All-EuroLeague First Team. It turned out well in the end," he concluded about the matter.

Efes and Ataman undeniably saw quite a bit of potential in Musa, which he was able to later realize in Real Madrid. The player also attracted attention this year when Partizan allegedly wanted him on their roster, though Musa denies such an offer and voiced criticism of those who are perpetuating such news.

"I know what the truth is, so I have no energy, no will, no desire to explain to someone what is happening," he explained. "The people who are with me every day, my family, know what's going on, and that's the most important thing to me."

"Let people and the media speak; we all know how many untruths there are, and I focus every day on being as good as possible and progressing," Musa continued. "And I can't stop all this writing, so I won't even try."

This year, Musa continued his dominant performance in the regular season as he averaged 13.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. He had a career game against Anadolu Efes in Round 19 this year, which was an epic blockbuster that broke the EuroLeague overtime record twice: it went into a third and a fourth extension period.

Against his previous team, Musa scored 40 points (15/20 FG), grabbed 2 rebounds, dished out 8 assists, stole 1 ball, and committed 3 turnovers for a total of 45 PIR.

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