Sertac Sanli recalls worst basketball memory, biggest career risks / News - Basketnews.com

Sertac Sanli's path has been all about taking risks. The Turkish big man explains his mentality when it comes to choosing teams, weighs in on Sarunas Jasikevicius' term in Barcelona and Ergin Ataman's first months with Panathinaikos, and names his worst and best basketball memory.

Credit: Alfonso Cannavacciuolo/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Alfonso Cannavacciuolo/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Sertac SanlijoinedFenerbahce Beko Istanbulonly last summer, but he's already accustomed to fans traveling all the way from Turkey to wherever his new team is playing.

Sertac Sanli

MIN:13.04PTS:4.89 (45.28%)REB:2.26As:0.42ST:0.11BL:0.42TO:0.79GM:19ProfileEuroLeague2023/2024

Hence, he wasn't surprised to see roughly 20 Turkish fans patiently waiting for Fenerbahce to arrive in their Athens hotel almost 24 hours before they take onPanathinaikos AKTOR Athens.

And if that reception wasn't warm enough,Kendrick Nunnmade sure his message would reach his side's next opponents.

"They're coming to lose," the former NBA playertold reportersduring PAO's pre-game practice session.

"Yes, I saw that," Sanli toldBasketNews.

"But I don't want to make any comment on that, seriously. Nobody expected that, but everyone on our team saw it."

Credit Tolga Adanali/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Nunn has moved overseas, which means that NBA trades don't apply to him anymore. Nor do they apply to Sanli, at least for the time being. However, since the EuroLeague is considering introducing players' exchange, more and more athletes voice their opinions.

Fenerbahce big man is certain that a trade system in Europe wouldn't be a good idea.

"It seems really complicated," he argued.

"NBA players sign long-term deals, and taxes are different. Here, it's not the States where you can easily move from one place to another. In Europe, every country has its own VISA issues. Almost every contract is short-term here. There are no 5-year deals in Europe."

Furthermore, there's another major issue: players want to have the last say when it comes to where they will be playing.

"I want to make the decision for myself," Sanli said.

"Maybe I'd think differently if I signed a 5-year, $200 million deal. But on these terms, it's complicated."

Sanli, 32, saw his career take an upward path when he signed with Anadolu Efes Istanbul in 2018.

He was 27 at the time and therefore considered by many as a late bloomer. Still, he managed to have a significant impact on the team that grew into one of Europe's powerhouses and ended up winning back-to-back EuroLeague trophies.

Sanli was part of one championship team that won the title in 2021. One of his Efes teammates, Vasilije Micic,was recently tradedfrom the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Charlotte Hornets.

"I know Vasa is

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