Yankuba Sima a serious option for an Unicaja return

Yankuba Sima is a serious option to return to Unicaja. The Málaga club, who will travel to Movistar Arena on Sunday at 7 p.m. to begin their Liga Endesa campaign against Real Madrid, will have three absences compared with their initial squad configuration: Nzosa, Kalinoski and Tyson Pérez.

Injuries have forced the Málaga side to look for a centre, a situation Txus Vidorreta confirmed this week. Sima is among the names being seriously considered, and this route has also been reported as one being explored at Los Guindos.

The centre is negotiating his exit from Valencia Basket, where his role has diminished. On Thursday, he was left out by Xavi Albert for the EuroLeague opener against Besiktas, while Jasiel Rivero, who is on a temporary contract, was included.

Sima joined Valencia last summer after the club paid Unicaja €500,000 to sign him. His limited role during the season could now open the door to a return to Málaga. Unicaja had not contemplated that possibility during the summer, but injuries have changed the picture.

The injury to the Spanish-Dominican player, which appears likely to require surgery, has particularly weakened the frontcourt and forced the club to look to the market. Beyond his contribution inside, Sima has locally trained player status, a particularly important factor for the BCL following the absences of Tyson Pérez and Nzosa.

Killian Tillie is also among the players being monitored. Vidorreta knows the power forward and values his qualities, but his physical situation prevented any move during the summer. The Frenchman underwent surgery for a knee injury and Unicaja are closely tracking his progress; if he fully regains his fitness, he could become an alternative again.