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Saben Lee Leaving Maccabi Tel Aviv? Virtus Bologna monitoring the player’s situation

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Saben Lee might be leaving Maccabi Tel Aviv soon. Virtus Bologna and Partizan Belgrade are monitoring the situation, but the American guard could return to Manisa.

Maccabi Tel Aviv is facing a rather complicated situation with Saben Lee, the American guard who, after being a standout in the early EuroLeague games, found himself not playing in the latest match against Olimpia Milano at the Unipol Forum. Lee, who started the season with Manisa BBSK in Turkey and joined Maccabi Tel Aviv after Jordan Loyd’s departure, has been left out of the rotations, and this decision is raising many questions about his future at the club.

The Decision Behind the Bench

When Maccabi Tel Aviv signed Saben Lee, the player agreed with the club that he would not return to Tel Aviv for domestic league games, while still being part of the roster for EuroLeague. This arrangement has put coach Oded Kattash in a difficult situation, as Lee’s absence from daily team activities has made squad management even more challenging. After the game, Kattash commented:

“It’s an absurd situation. He’s not with us every day, so it’s very difficult to manage. I don’t blame him at all. We thought he might change his mind, especially seeing other players arriving in Tel Aviv. But it’s not his fault. It’s our decision.”

The choice not to use Lee doesn’t seem to stem from his on-court performance, but rather from the club and coach’s refusal to accept the player’s conditions, creating a rift that may persist for some time.

Market Rumors: Possible Destinations

Saben Lee is a talented player, and despite the current difficulties at Maccabi Tel Aviv, several clubs are reportedly interested in him. According to Sport5, Partizan Belgrade, Virtus Bologna, as well as Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and Anadolu Efes Istanbul, are keeping an eye on the player. This suggests that Lee could be a desirable asset for various EuroLeague teams.

However, according to another Israeli media outlet, Walla Sport, Saben Lee may soon return to Turkey, specifically to Manisa BBSK, the team where he started the season and showed his potential. This could be a temporary solution, but it’s still unclear whether his stay at Maccabi Tel Aviv will be sustainable in the long term.

Saben Lee’s EuroLeague Stats

Despite the difficult situation in Tel Aviv, Saben Lee’s performances in EuroLeague have been promising. So far, the player has averaged 12.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. These numbers highlight his talent and versatility, but also the difficulties he has faced in finding a stable role within Maccabi Tel Aviv’s system.