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Shane Larkin, star guard of Anadolu Efes, has issued a detailed statement on social media platform X in response to recent comments by former Turkish national basketball player Ibrahim Kutluay concerning Larkin’s absence from the Turkish Cup semifinal against Besiktas.
Kutluay suggested on a television program that during the second half of the semifinal, head coach Pablo Laso wanted to put Larkin into the game, but that Larkin chose not to play. He also questioned Larkin’s leadership, claiming that Anadolu Efes could not reach its highest ambitions under his guidance.
Larkin emphasized that his absence from the match was due entirely to health reasons, and that trying to support his team while recovering could be misunderstood. “And this is exactly why I should’ve never been on the roster for the cup,” he wrote. “Because I am not healthy enough to play and trying to be there for the team can be misunderstood as me not wanting to play. Now you have 2 clowns who love to say my name for clickbait and attention.”
Defending his character, Larkin criticized those using his situation to generate attention: “An attack on my character is never something I’ll allow. I’ve given my all to my club and for Turkish basketball. Playing through injuries and putting my body on the line for years… anything spoken against that is just for attention or to get a reaction.”
He highlighted the challenges of being judged unfairly while injured: “Attacking the character of an injured player who cannot be on a court without sharp pains after a surgery is a low, low gesture. If one of them actually wanted to know the truth and actually wanted to know how my body is doing, they could easily ask. But instead, they would rather use my name for clicks and attention. Kinda pathetic if you ask me.”
Larkin also pointed out the disparity in how criticism is applied: “Anybody who only speaks about people in their low moments is a pathetic, envious man. When I’m playing well, and doing all the things I do to win for my club or for the country, you hear nothing. Complete silence. Not a single good word about me.”
He called on others to consider the perspective of long-term health, using a pointed example: “Ask dude if his son, who is a great young player, was in my position, what he would do. Risk his long-term health? Or make sure he was safe before playing again? I bet then it wouldn’t come down to a character thing.”
Also, Larkin criticized the media for controlling the narrative: “As an athlete, especially as a former athlete, you’d think the approach would be to speak the truth and to speak the reality to give insight on what athletes go through. Seems like their goal is to create a negative perception about me at every turn.”
Larkin was careful to note that his remarks were not directed at rival teams or their supporters. Specifically, he expressed respect for Fenerbahce fans, stating that their passion is admirable and that they should not be implicated in the dispute.
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