After a great season with Bahcesehir Istanbul, Jaleen Smith decides to join Turk Telekom Ankara, as reported by Donatas Urbonas on X. The 30-year-old guard was selected for 2024-25 All Eurocup First Team and played an important role at Bahcesehir Istanbul to help his team to reach the semifinals, both in Eurocup and Turkish Basketball Super League.
Highlights from the 2024-25 season
Smith averaged 12.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game in the 2024-25 Eurocup regular season. He played 4 play-off games in Eurocup, averaged 10 points, 2.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game in 22 minutes. He also had a 22-point game against Gran Canaria on the day 2 April 2025, Game 3, but it wasn’t enough for his team to reach the finals.
In the Turkish Basketball Super League, Jaleen Smith played 35 games in total, averaged 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Bahcesehir Istanbul ended up 5th in the regular season, eliminated Tofas Bursa and advanced to the semifinals, but their season ended there after the 3-0 loss in series against the champions, Fenerbahce Beko.
Tactical fit in Turk Telekom
Jaleen Smith is getting more minutes to play after a pair of half seasons in Virtus Bologna and Partizan Belgrade. Turk Telekom Ankara will surely get use of his experience and playmaking skills and it will take their game to the next level with their strong forward rotation.
Posted on 2 July 2025, 20:01 CET
