Sertac Sanli ultimately did not last long in the United Arab Emirates. Arriving last summer in Dubai, freshly promoted to the EuroLeague, the Turkish pivot will already have a change of scenery. At 34, the 2.12m interior player makes his return to Turkey by signing with Besiktas Istanbul, a club he knows well having played there for two seasons, between 2016 and 2018.
A whirlwind adventure in Dubai
Recruited by Dubai Basketball to accompany its arrival in the EuroLeague, Sertac Sanli never really found his place in the rotation. In the EuroLeague, he averaged 2.4 points and 1 rebound in 7 minutes over 7 matches, in a team currently 13th with a record of 10 wins and 11 losses.
His playing time was slightly more significant in the Adriatic League, with 5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 11 minutes over 6 games. Dubai nevertheless dominates the competition, occupying first place with an impressive record of 12-0.
A logical return to a championship he knows by heart
Silver medalist with Turkey at the last Euro, Sertac Sanli is one of the most experienced interior players of his generation. Trained at Pinar Karsiyaka, he literally toured the clubs in Istanbul: Darüşşafaka, Galatasaray, Beşiktaş, Anadolu Efes Istanbul and Fenerbahçe are all on his CV.
He also wore the colors of several other teams in the Turkish championship, such as Tofaş Bursa, Gaziantep, Muratbey Uşak or Trabzonspor, without forgetting an experience at FC Barcelona.
Since 2018, he had not left the EuroLeague, a competition which he won twice, while winning four Turkish championship titles.
Beşiktaş strengthens an already successful squad
The arrival of Sertac Sanli consolidates Beşiktaş in full success this season. The Istanbul club has a record of 13 wins for 2 defeats in the league, occupying second place with the same record as Fenerbahçe, leader.
Back in the top 3 of the Turkish championship for two seasons, Beşiktaş relies on a solid and balanced squad, led in particular by former ASVEL player Jonah Mathews, Devon Dotson, Ante Žižić and the Franco-Ivorian Ismaël Kamagaté.
They are determined to hang a new banner since their legendary 2011-2012 season where they won the championship, the Turkish Cup, the President’s Cup as well as the EuroChallenge.
On the European scene, the club is also well placed, with second position in its EuroCup group (9 wins for 4 losses) behind JL Bourg, harboring real ambitions of direct qualification for the final stages. A team from Bourg that they meet this Wednesday evening, in Ain.
An eye already turned towards the EuroLeague
In the medium term, Beşiktaş clearly displays its ambition to return to the EuroLeague next season, taking advantage of places that could become available. With this in mind, Sertac Sanli’s experience and experience at the highest European level constitute a valuable asset.
The Turkish pivot could make his league debut against Turk Telecom on January 18, however, he will not be eligible for the next EuroCup match, against JL Bourg on January 14, leader of the group.
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