Former Teammate of Denny Avdija Released from Chinese Team, Eyes European Return
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Canadian guard Delano Banton, a former teammate of Denny Avdija, was released by his Chinese team after a poor performance. The 27-year-old, who previously played in the NBA and G League, is now considered an interesting option for European basketball clubs, including those in the EuroLeague. Banton's release could reignite interest from teams that pursued him last summer.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Delano Banton, former teammate of Denny Avdija, released by Chinese team Shandong.
- Banton is considered an interesting option for European basketball clubs.
- He previously played in the NBA for the Raptors, Celtics, and Trail Blazers.
- Banton excelled in the G League with averages of 24.9 points and 7 assists.
- He played alongside Avdija during the 2024-25 NBA season.
Canadian guard Delano Banton, a former teammate of Israeli NBA player Denny Avdija, has been released by his Chinese team, Shandong Hi-Speed Kirin, after a short and unsuccessful stint. Banton, 27, who stands at 2.03 meters (6'8"), joined the Chinese club after failing to secure a place in the NBA and being linked with a move to Europe last summer. His time in China was brief, playing only six games with averages of 7.8 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.2 rebounds, with poor shooting percentages.
Banton, selected 46th overall in the 2021 NBA draft, previously played for the Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, and Portland Trail Blazers. During the 2024-25 season, he played alongside Avdija in Portland. While he saw limited opportunities in the NBA, averaging 6.6 points over 222 regular season games, he excelled in the G League with averages of 24.9 points, 7 assists, and 4.1 rebounds in 44 games.
Following his release, Banton is reportedly being considered a "very interesting option" for European clubs, according to Sportando. Turkish journalist Yasin Yildirim noted that Banton was a "hot name" in the European market last summer, particularly for Turkish teams, and his release could put him back on the radar of many European clubs, potentially including EuroLeague teams. He may now seek to continue his professional basketball career in Europe.
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