Syracuse, N.Y. -- Former Syracuse men’s basketball player Cole Swider is nearing a deal with Anadolu Efes, a team located in Turkey, according to a report by veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein.
In addition to being in the top tier of Turkish basketball, Anadolu Efes is a member of the EuroLeague, considered the best professional basketball competition in the world outside of the NBA.
Anadolu Efes is one of the better teams at the international level, having made the playoffs last season and back-to-back championships in 2021 and 2022.
One of Anadolu’s standouts in recent years has been former Miami star and first-round draft pick Shane Larkin.
Two other former Syracuse basketball players, Tyler Ennis and Oshae Brissett, have also signed with teams that will compete in the EuroLeague next year.
Swider, 26, was a standout in the NBA Summer League this year with the LA Lakers, averaging 17.6 points and 7 rebounds over the course of five games.
He shot 41 percent from behind the 3-point line, showing off the strength of his game.
Swider has played 35 NBA games with four franchises in his three years since leaving Syracuse, but those appearances have come on either two-way or short-term contracts rather than a full-year deal.
Swider played the majority of his college basketball career at Villanova before spending one season (2021-22) with the Orange.
During his year in Orange, Swider averaged 13.9 points and 6.8 rebounds, while shooting 41.1 percent on 3-point attempts.
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