Zaza Pachulia returns to Turkey during the lockout

Seven years after leaving Ülkerspor to start an NBA career, Zaza Pachulia is back to Turkey. Galatasaray has officially announced the signing of the hard-nosed 27-year-old center until the end of the NBA lockout. Pachulia is already the 63º NBA player to find a team overseas since the lockout started.

Balboa in Istambul (Source FIBA Europe / Castoria / De Massis)

Pachulia, who was also linked with Besiktas (the rumors were denied by himself via twitter) this summer, is already recovered from the injury he suffered during the last Eurobasket, where he averaged 13.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He will have an interesting role in Galatasaray, qualified for the next Euroleague, as the defensive key player in the zone.

It's always good to see warriors fighting again, and Pachulia's nickname is not "Balboa" for coincidence.