Kamagate leaves Besiktas ahead of EuroLeague return
Kamagate and Besiktas announce their breakup before the EuroLeague
The French pivot leaves the Istanbul club after a chaotic season punctuated by lost finals and injuries. Besiktas must rebuild before returning to the EuroLeague.
Ismaël Kamagate and Besiktas Istanbul have officially broken off their collaboration, putting an end to a chaotic season for the French pivot and his club, just a few weeks before Besiktas' long-awaited return to the EuroLeague. The separation comes after a 2023-2024 season marked by two lost finals: in the EuroCup against Paris Basketball and in the Turkish championship (Super Ligi). Kamagate, a central figure in the squad, was particularly affected by during these decisive meetings, limiting his impact on the floor at the most critical moment of the campaign.
09 m) were supposed to make the difference. This mutual decision seals an adventure which did not keep all its promises. The club, under the leadership of Dusan Alimpijevic, must now rebuild their inside game and identity without their starting center, while Kamagate finds themselves on the transfer market after a lackluster Turkish experience.
2 million euros, an investment which was not justified by his performances. Analysts and managers agree on one point: Kamagate's injury management was an aggravating factor. The pivot missed nearly 30% of regular season matches, with repeated absences during key phases.
His return in February for the play-offs was not enough to reverse the trend, confirming that his physical level was no longer compatible with the demands of the EuroCup and the Super Ligi. For Besiktas, this rupture is also a warning signal: the club has accumulated failures in finals in recent years, with three finals lost in four seasons (EuroCup 2021, 2022 and 2024), revealing a lack of resilience in decisive moments. This break symbolizes the failure of an ambitious project for Besiktas, which was banking on Kamagate to shine in Europe.
It leaves the club in uncertainty at the dawn of its return to the EuroLeague, with a gaping hole at a key position. For the player, it is the end of a disappointing chapter that relaunches his career on the transfer market, with the pressure to bounce back after a season marred by injuries. Kamagate's profile, a mobile pivot despite his size, initially attracted Besiktas for his potential to dominate in defense and counter-attack.
However, his limited offensive play and his physical fragility quickly showed their limits against the organized defenses of the EuroCup. 2 rebounds in 18 minutes per game, figures well below expectations for a player of his standing. Besiktas, for its part, paid a high price for this risky bet, with a financial balance sheet weighed down by a long-term contract in an economic context already tense for Turkish clubs.
The transfer market promises to be tense for both parties. Kamagate, 28, must prove that he can still play at a high level, while Besiktas must avoid repeating the same mistakes by banking on a more reliable profile. European clubs, often cautious about players coming out of long periods of injury, could require financial or sporting guarantees before committing.
This break illustrates the risks of costly transfers in European basketball, where injuries can wipe out an entire season. “Kamagate had the profile to succeed in Türkiye, but injuries blocked everything,” analyzes a European basketball observer. “Besiktas needs a player capable of lasting 40 minutes in the EuroLeague, not a fragile profile.
” What's next: Besiktas must find a quality replacement for Kamagate to begin its season back among the European elite. The transfer window becomes crucial for the Istanbul club, which will have to cope without its French pivot to face the demanding pace of the EuroLeague. Rumors are already pointing to avenues in Eastern Europe and the NBA G League, where experienced pivots could fill the void.
For his part, Kamagate could aim for a return to France or Spain, where his profile could interest clubs looking for size and European experience. Read at BeBasket
Why this matters
This break illustrates the risks of costly transfers in European basketball, where injuries can wipe out an entire season. For Besiktas, this is an opportunity to rethink its sporting project and focus on more reliable profiles to avoid repeating the same mistakes. Kamagate must turn the page and prove that he can still perform at a high level, despite a mixed record in Türkiye. The upcoming transfer window will be decisive for both parties, with major sporting and financial issues.
Frequently asked
Why is Ismaël Kamagate leaving Besiktas?
The player and the club reached a mutual agreement to terminate the contract, after a season marked by lost finals and embarrassing injuries to the pivot during key moments. Both parties favored an amicable separation rather than a dismissal or a conflictual departure.
Which competitions did Besiktas lose in the final?
Besiktas failed in the final of the EuroCup 2024 against Paris Basketball, and in the final of the Turkish championship (Super Ligi) the same season. These two defeats sealed a blank season for the Istanbul club.
Who is the Besiktas coach?
The team is led by Serbian coach Dusan Alimpijevic, in post since 2022. He will now have to rebuild his interior sector before returning to the EuroLeague, with a squad deprived of its starting pivot.
What is the main challenge for Besiktas now?
The immediate challenge is finding a EuroLeague-level pivot to replace Kamagate and fill a major void in the paint. The club will also have to manage its budget after an unprofitable investment in the French player.
What are the next deadlines for Besiktas?
Besiktas must finalize its squad before the resumption of the EuroLeague, scheduled for October 2024. The club will also have to prepare for the pre-season and friendly matches to find a competitive rhythm after a disappointing season.
Where could Kamagate bounce back after leaving Besiktas?
The avenues mentioned include France (where he played at ASVEL), Spain (Liga ACB), or minor leagues like the NBA G League. His experienced pivot profile could interest clubs looking for size and leadership.
