Scottie Wilbekin Shines in Besiktas EuroLeague Victory, Earns Praise

Former Maccabi Tel Aviv guard Scottie Wilbekin delivered a standout performance, scoring 24 points and hitting six three-pointers to lead Besiktas to a 92-84 road victory over Baskonia in the EuroLeague. The 33-year-old guard was instrumental in the crucial final minutes, earning accolades from Spanish and Turkish media.

The EuroLeague's official game summary highlighted Wilbekin's decisive role, stating he "had the last word" in Besiktas's win. He opened the game with two three-pointers to establish an early lead and added two more consecutively at the start of the second half, saving his most impactful plays for the end of the game.

Spanish outlets like Marca noted Wilbekin's enduring quality despite past injuries, while AS praised him for "taking control of the game" and making the key shots in decisive moments. Turkish newspaper Hurriyet celebrated his "velvet gloves" performance, emphasizing his and Devin Dotson's composure in the critical final minutes, and also commending coach Duško Ivanović's game management.

Besiktas secured their second EuroLeague road win of the season despite a back-and-forth game where Baskonia held a halftime lead. The Turkish team tightened their defense in the fourth quarter, allowing only 13 points. With Baskonia closing the gap to 87-82 late in the game, Wilbekin sealed the victory with a drive to the basket followed by his sixth three-pointer.

Wilbekin expressed his satisfaction with the win, calling it their "first real road game" of the season in front of a crowd and acknowledging the difficulty of winning on the road in the EuroLeague. Coach Ivanović credited his players for a "tremendous defensive effort" in the second half, particularly in the final quarter.

Wilbekin is now set to face Hapoel Tel Aviv on October 14th in his next EuroLeague outing, facing his former club's city rival after reminding everyone of his scoring prowess.