Fenerbahçe Bolsters Roster with EuroLeague Veteran Will Clyburn
Fenerbahçe has significantly strengthened its roster with the acquisition of American forward Will Clyburn, a veteran of the EuroLeague. This strategic move aims to fortify the team as it navigates a period of substantial change and builds towards future successes in European basketball. Clyburn's extensive experience and proven track record are expected to provide a crucial boost to the Turkish champions.
Fenerbahçe Secures Key EuroLeague Veteran Will Clyburn for Upcoming Season
On Friday, July 17, 2026, Fenerbahçe officially announced the signing of Will Clyburn, a highly respected 36-year-old American forward, to a one-year contract. This pivotal acquisition comes as Fenerbahçe, the current Turkish champions, actively reshapes its team following a compelling run to the 2026 EuroLeague Final Four. Clyburn transitions from FC Barcelona, where he spent the 2025-26 season, bringing with him a wealth of high-level European basketball experience.
During his tenure with Barcelona, Clyburn maintained a robust performance in the EuroLeague, averaging 13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists across 31 games. His efficiency was notable, with a 15.1 performance index rating, shooting 45.3% from the field and 37.3% from beyond the arc. Additionally, he contributed 12.1 points and 3.7 rebounds in Liga ACB action, underscoring his consistent output.
This signing is part of Fenerbahçe’s ambitious rebuilding phase under head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius, spurred by several significant player departures this summer. Key players like Nando De Colo, who retired, along with Devon Hall, Khem Birch, Bonzie Colson, Mikael Jantunen, Tarik Biberovic, Arturs Zagars, Brandon Boston Jr., Armando Bacot, and Jilson Bango, have all moved on from the club. In response, Fenerbahçe has been highly active in the transfer market, securing an impressive roster of new talent alongside Clyburn, including Shane Larkin, Shavon Shields, Trent Forrest, Braxton Key, Sertac Sanli, Marcus Bingham Jr., and Ignas Sargiunas, marking one of the busiest offseasons in Europe.
Clyburn's career is decorated with numerous achievements. He first made his mark professionally with ratiopharm Ulm and Darussafaka before flourishing during his five seasons with CSKA Moscow. During his time with CSKA, he earned All-EuroLeague First Team honors in the 2018-19 season, a season where he also led the team to a EuroLeague championship and was crowned Final Four MVP. His impressive haul also includes three VTB United League titles.
Following his successful stint in Moscow, Clyburn continued his winning ways in Turkey with Anadolu Efes in 2022. There, he averaged 16.7 points and 5.7 rebounds in the 2022-23 EuroLeague season, contributing to Efes’s Turkish League championship victory. Prior to joining Barcelona, he also added an Italian League title to his résumé with Virtus Bologna in the 2024-25 season. Throughout his 208 EuroLeague appearances, Clyburn has maintained career averages of 13.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, showcasing his exceptional versatility across both forward positions.
The acquisition of Will Clyburn signals a clear intent from Fenerbahçe to remain a dominant force in European basketball. His blend of experience, scoring prowess, and defensive versatility makes him an invaluable asset for any team. As the club integrates new talent and recalibrates its strategies, Clyburn’s leadership and proven ability to perform under pressure will be critical. This move not only enhances Fenerbahçe's immediate competitiveness but also sends a strong message about their long-term ambitions to contend for top honors in the EuroLeague and domestic competitions. It will be exciting to watch how this new-look Fenerbahçe squad performs with such a high-caliber player leading the charge.