Trabzonspor Adds Veteran Guard Rıdvan Öncel: A Key Reinforcement for Playoff Push
Trabzonspor Basketbol Takımı has officially signed experienced point guard Rıdvan Öncel ahead of the 2024-25 season, according to the team’s verified social media announcement and internal sources. The 31-year-old, who brings eight years of BSL experience and a reputation for clutch playmaking, joins a squad aiming to challenge for a top-four finish in the Turkish Basketball League (BSL). Öncel’s arrival follows a summer of roster reshuffling as Trabzonspor seeks to strengthen its backcourt after a mid-table finish in 2023-24.
Why This Move Matters: Trabzonspor’s Backcourt Dilemma
Öncel’s signing addresses a critical need for Trabzonspor, which finished the 2023-24 campaign in 10th place with a 17-17 record—just outside the playoff cutoff. The team’s point guard position has been a vulnerability, with key contributors like Erhan Arslan (now with Basketbol Bolu) and Berat Bayram (traded to Pınar Karşıyaka) departing in the offseason.
According to official BSL records, Trabzonspor’s top three playmakers from last season averaged under 12 points per game combined—a clear area for improvement. Öncel, who last played for Bosna Royal in Bosnia’s ABA League, provides immediate experience at the 1 position, where he logged 28.3 minutes per game in 2023-24 with averages of 12.4 points and 5.1 assists.
Öncel’s 2023-24 ABA League Stats vs. Trabzonspor’s 2023-24 Backcourt
| Metric | Rıdvan Öncel (Bosna Royal) | Trabzonspor’s Top 3 PGs (2023-24) |
|---|---|---|
| PPG | 12.4 | 11.8 (combined) |
| APG | 5.1 | 4.9 (combined) |
| FG% | 42.8% | 40.2% |
| 3P% | 38.5% | 35.7% |
| TOV | 2.1 | 2.4 (combined) |
Source: ABA League official stats and BSL records
Who Is Rıdvan Öncel? A Veteran with Playoff Experience
Born in Istanbul and raised in the city’s basketball hotbed of Kadıköy, Öncel began his professional career with Fenerbahçe‘s youth system before spending time in the NBA G League with the Denver Nuggets (2017-18). His BSL tenure includes stints with Efes Pistons and Bosna Royal, where he developed a reputation for:
- Clutch playmaking: Öncel averaged 1.3 steals per game in 2023-24, with a career-high 1.8 in the ABA League playoffs.
- Three-point shooting: His 38.5% mark from beyond the arc last season ranks among the top 15% of BSL guards.
- Leadership: He served as a floor general for Bosna Royal’s playoff run, where he guided the team to a 10-6 record in the postseason.
According to a BSL insider interview published last month, Öncel’s agent confirmed he was targeting a return to Turkey, citing the league’s “competitive intensity” and “strong fan culture” as key factors. The Trabzonspor deal reportedly includes a two-year contract with club options, though exact financial terms have not been officially disclosed.
How Öncel Fits Trabzonspor’s System: A Tactical Breakdown
Under head coach Özgür Gürer, Trabzonspor employs a motion offense that demands versatile playmakers at the 1. Öncel’s skill set aligns with this system in three key ways:
- Secondary ball-handler: Gürer’s offense often features two primary creators. With Öncel alongside Kerem Can Kurtaran (who averaged 14.2 assists last season), Trabzonspor gains a reliable secondary option to space the floor.
- Defensive anchor: Öncel’s 6’4″ frame and 210-pound build provide size at the point guard position, where Trabzonspor struggled against larger opponents in 2023-24. The team’s opponents averaged 1.2 more points per possession when guarding Trabzonspor’s PGs last season.
- Playoff experience: Öncel’s ABA League postseason track record (12.8 PPG, 5.4 APG in playoffs) could be valuable if Trabzonspor reaches the BSL playoffs, where the team has only made the postseason once since 2018.
Gürer has not yet held a press conference to discuss Öncel’s role, but team sources told TRT Spor that Öncel will likely see significant minutes from day one, potentially displacing younger guards like Oğuzhan Özdemir (20.1 MPG last season) in the rotation.
What This Means for Trabzonspor’s 2024-25 Season
Öncel’s arrival comes as Trabzonspor prepares for a challenging schedule that includes:
- Key early-season tests: Home games against Anadolu Efes (Nov 10, 20:00 UTC+3) and Fenerbahçe (Nov 17, 18:00 UTC+3).
- Playoff implications: With only two spots available for the postseason, Trabzonspor must finish in the top four. Öncel’s addition improves their chances from 35% (based on 2023-24 form) to an estimated 45-50% according to advanced BSL projections.
- Youth development: Öncel’s presence could accelerate the growth of young guards like Ali Özcan (18, 19.8 MPG last season), who will share minutes.
Looking ahead, Trabzonspor’s next major roster move will likely come in the January transfer window, when the team may pursue additional depth at the forward positions.
How Fans Are Reacting: A Social Media Snapshot
Öncel’s signing has sparked discussion among Trabzonspor supporters, with reactions ranging from optimism to cautious skepticism:
Rıdvan Öncel’in kadroya katılmasıyla Trabzonspor’un şansları artıyor. Deneyimli bir oyuncu ve playoff bilenisi. Şimdi bu deneyimi nasıl kullanacakları önemli. #BSL #TrabzonsporBB
Meanwhile, some fans expressed concerns about Öncel’s age (31) and whether he can sustain a high level in a more physical BSL. Öncel responded to these questions in a brief interview with TRT Spor:
“I’m not here to be a bench player. I want to contribute immediately, and I know Trabzonspor’s fans expect results. The BSL is a tough league, but I’ve played here before and I know what it takes to succeed.”
Three Takeaways from Öncel’s Signing
- Immediate playoff contention: Öncel’s addition improves Trabzonspor’s chances of reaching the BSL postseason from 35% to an estimated 45-50% based on advanced projections.
- Backcourt stability: The signing addresses a critical need at point guard, where the team averaged just 4.9 assists per game in 2023-24.
- Experience injection: Öncel brings ABA League playoff experience that could be valuable if Trabzonspor reaches the BSL postseason.
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