Former BYU Star Elijah Bryant Leaves NBA For Anadolu Efes
Oct 18, 2021, 4:05 PM
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 16: Devon Dotson #3 of the Chicago Bulls drives to the basket over Elijah Bryant #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks at the United Center on May 16, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Elijah Bryant will be suiting up for a new team after winning an NBA title with the Milwaukee Bucks last season. On Monday, the guard announced he’d be signing with Anadolu Efes S.K. in Turkey.
The club is considered the top Turkish team and is coming off its first-ever EuroLeague championship.
“Grateful for the opportunity!” Bryant tweeted of joining Anadolu Efes. “Mission Call to Turkey! Farewell via zoom! God willing, OC”
Grateful for the opportunity! Mission Call to Turkey! Farewell via zoom! God willing 💙 OC© https://t.co/BJivrAhin8
— Elijah Bryant (@Elijah_Bryant3) October 18, 2021
Bryant, who spent two years at BYU, joined the Bucks in May shortly before the end of last year’s regular season and remained with the team through their championship run.
The Bucks signed the former Cougar to a two-year contract worth $1.54 million, though the second year of the deal was non-guaranteed.
Bryant played in 12 games for Milwaukee, including 11 playoff games where he averaged 1.3 points per game on 35 percent shooting
Joining Anadolu Efes won’t be the first time Bryant appears overseas. Prior to joining Milwaukee the Cougar great played for Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel where he averaged 10.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 79 career appearances.
The guard also shots an impressive 48 percent from the floor and 39 percent from the three-point line during his first stint overseas.
Congrats to @Elijah_Bryant3 and the @Bucks – NBA CHAMPS!! pic.twitter.com/spiXxp46FF
— BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) July 21, 2021
During his time at BYU, Bryant averaged 15.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 47 percent from the floor including 37 percent from three as a sophomore and junior.
Bryant first played for the Bucks in 2019 as a member of their Summer League roster. He chose to sign with Maccabi Tel Aviv after his standout performance before rejoining the Bucks after his European season ended.
