Matthew Strazel has been a standout for Anadolu Efes this season, leading the Turkish side to a surprise road win in Kaunas, 85-70 against Zalgiris. The French guard looks ready to take the next step…
Matthew Strazel had to leave his home country for the first time to discover a different EuroLeague opportunity. After three seasons at ASVEL and four at Monaco, the 24-year-old Frenchman joined Anadolu Efes with considerable experience in the competition, including playoff and Final Four appearances with the Principality club. In Istanbul, though, the challenge is now to establish himself among the players who consistently shape their team’s offence.
In previous years, Strazel had shown that he could deliver as a role player, provide solutions and gradually earn a bigger role under coaches such as Sasa Obradovic and Vassilis Spanoulis. His development at Monaco is reflected in the numbers: his scoring rose from 8.3 points per game in 2024-25 to 9.2 the following season, while his assists increased from 2.4 to 3.9. Small steps in the right direction. Strazel had already begun taking on a greater share of the workload before changing countries and jerseys.
Under Pablo Laso, the opportunity has grown and his status has changed. Through the opening six rounds, the Frenchman is averaging 13.3 points, 3.2 assists and a PIR of 11.5 in 23 minutes and 32 seconds per game. He has started five times and is tasked with sustaining his own production while keeping his teammates involved. For a player aiming to establish himself as one of the league’s dependable performers, those are demanding responsibilities.
Of course, circumstances at the Turkish club have changed because of Mike James’ injury. Strazel is trying to fill some very big shoes, taking on part of the burden that would otherwise fall to the sidelined American superstar. It is a particularly difficult assignment, as the absence of a scorer and creator of that calibre affects the entire backcourt. The Frenchman therefore has to help fill the void through his own game.
Understandably, that leaves a significant “what if” hanging over Istanbul. Their previous partnership at Monaco had generated interest in how the two might operate together again, this time in Laso’s system. James’ injury prevents us from seeing that partnership this season, while placing Strazel closer to the heart of the decision-making. The extra room to operate comes with an obligation to deliver consistently: a greater responsibility — or opportunity — that he looks ready to embrace.
His performance at Zalgirio Arena offered exactly that kind of evidence. In the surprise win over Zalgiris, the 24-year-old guard scored 19 points, grabbed 3 rebounds and handed out 4 assists, committing just 1 turnover and posting a PIR of 22. In roughly 24 minutes, he shot 3-of-6 on two-pointers, 2-of-6 from beyond the arc and 7-of-8 at the free-throw line. A night to remember, combining increased offensive responsibility with careful ball management.
His work at the foul line deserves particular attention. He is shooting 29-of-32 overall, or 90.6%, and drawing 4.5 fouls per game. Those points become even more valuable given his shooting percentages elsewhere: 42.9% on two-pointers and 31% on threes. There is therefore room to improve his efficiency, without his entire contribution depending on his accuracy from beyond the arc.
Similarly, his 19 assists and 12 turnovers across six games highlight an area where greater consistency remains a target. The performance in Kaunas, however, provides a clear benchmark: scoring production, a contribution to the playmaking and very few wasted possessions. What matters for Efes is how often Strazel can reproduce that version of himself, particularly as opposing defences devote more attention to him.
In Turkey this season, the former ASVEL and Monaco guard has the time and room to pursue an established place among the competition’s leading performers. How far his stock rises depends on his consistency, his decisions on difficult nights and his response to greater responsibilities. In any case, the early evidence points to a player ready to take that next step. The next challenge is to sustain it over an entire season.
