Rodrigue Beaubois explains Efes' slow start, names reasons for not joining France / News - Basketnews.com

Rodrigue Beaubois shares his thoughts on Anadolu Efes' rocky start to the season and refers to the reasons that kept him in Istanbul for another year and away from the French national team throughout his career.

Credit: Tolga Adanali/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Tolga Adanali/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Many might not remember it, butRodrigue Beauboisdidn't score a single point in the 2022 EuroLeague Final Four in Belgrade, whereAnadolu Efes Istanbulcaptured their second straight continental title.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul / Schedule

Virtus Segafredo Bologna Anadolu Efes IstanbulFri19:30 Anadolu Efes Istanbul Zalgiris Kaunas11-0917:30

His next scoreless outing came 17 months and 35 games later. The rival was the same team Efes had faced in the Final Four semis (Olympiacos Piraeus), only the outcome was different this time around. The Reds capitalized on Beaubois' uncommonly dry night and won easily 75-57.

The result might not indicate the Frenchman's overall contribution to the squad this season, as Beaubois averaged 12.8 points over his first four EuroLeague games.

However, it was definitely an indication of Efes' slow start to the 2023-24 campaign that would eventually take a toll on individual players' performances as well.

Last year, their initial 2-5 record ended up depriving them of a playoff spot. However, that version of Efes had kept all its core players (except a retired Kruno Simon and a semi-retired Chris Singleton) and had Ergin Ataman calling the plays.

As the most experienced and long-serving player on the roster, Beaubois can point out what has been going south for his team.

"It's never a good feeling to lose, especially this way," he commented upon leaving the locker room at the Peace and Friendship Stadium.

"We need to find a way to bounce back because

Sign up for our premium membership and access exclusive content Subscribe Not ready to subscribe yet? Unlock this page for only 1€ Unlock (1€)