He only signed for the team last Sunday
Saben Lee announced himself to the EuroLeague with stellar Maccabi debut
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3 Mins read
Regular Season
Round 3 of 34
Group Regular Season
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Imagine a team postponing practice just so that its new signing can take part. Well, that is what Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv did last Sunday as it awaited the arrival of Saben Lee, who has been the talk of the continent in recent weeks. Maccabi knew that it was getting something special in Lee, and he already showed in Round 3 what he can offer.
It’s fair to say that Maccabi fans have been blessed when it comes to backcourt stars over the last two years, with Lorenzo Brown and Wade Baldwin developing into All-EuroLeague players, and – even if it was just one game – Lee looks like he could follow suit. On his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut, the 25-year-old finished with 23 points, 1 rebound, 5 assists and a 26 PIR, all in just under 22 1/2 minutes. Most importantly, he achieved those numbers in a win – a 93-91 decision against Anadolu Efes Istanbul.
What was particularly notable about Lee was the way in which, following a jaw-dropping poster dunk on Ercan Osmani, his teammates started to defer to him. Despite having been a Maccabi player for just three days, he was already commanding such a level of respect that he was leading the offense in crunch time, together with fellow guard Tamir Blatt.
“I’m just grateful to be able to be here with a good group of guys who have sown confidence in me and just being able to play my game,” Lee told EuroLeague TV after the game.
Sometimes it is difficult to know how a player will adapt to the EuroLeague, but Lee has already taken to the competition like a duck to water. Perhaps it was to be expected after his electric start to the season, as he dominated in the first two rounds of the Basketball Champions League with Manisa Basket before signing with Maccabi.
On his BCL debut, the former guard for the Detroit Pistons and Phoenix Suns posted 36 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists, then he followed that up by tying the competition's all-time scoring record with a 43-point night in his second-ever BCL appearance. Curiously, that 43-point game came at the place Maccabi is temporarily calling home – Aleksandar Nikolic Hall.
“This court has definitely shown me love, for sure,” Lee said.
Fortunately for Lee, he won’t have to wait too long to play again at Maccabi’s temporary arena as Thursday night sees Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade make the trip across town in Round 4. It is early days, but Maccabi fans may already have a new hero to cheer for.