A Turkish giant for Sergio Scariolo

Real Madrid has announced the signing of Ömer Yurtseven until the end of the season. The absences of Edy Tavares and Alex Len have prompted the Spanish club to return to the market in search of a center for the season finale in Liga ACB.

The Uzbek-born Turkish pivot, 27 years old and 2.13 meters tall, also seen in the jackets of Fenerbahce and early career and Panathinaikos later on, was without a team after the conclusion of the NBA season with the Golden State Warriors. His arrival will give Sergio Scariolo an extra option under the basket, a department that so far could only count on Usman Garuba and Izan Almansa.

With Panathinaikos, Yurtseven had already shown he could be devastating in the Euroleague. Last January, in the European champions’ 111-90 victory over Virtus Bologna, the long man had put up 27 points, contributing decisively to the Greeks’ success. It was a performance that had highlighted all of his offensive qualities under the basket and his ability to physically dominate opponents in the pitturato.

It is no coincidence, then, that Sergio Scariolo has set his sights on him to reinforce Real Madrid’s long department. The Italian coach, already a key player in the Blancos’ victory over Virtus Bologna in the Euroleague during the regular season, is well aware of the difficulties of playing without a reliable center and knows how much a quality pivot can make a difference in the decisive moments of the season.