February 09, 2012
World Championship team profile: Turkey
Oguz SavasHaving attracted and organized the 2010 World Championships means that now is the moment of truth for a Turkish national team that has shown promise, but only at random, in the recent past. An unexpected sixth-place finish at the last World Championships in Japan proved a high-water mark for this team, which fell to 11th and eighth in subsequent European tournaments. The mix of a veteran backcourt, formidable young frontcourt and world-class talent on the wings should point this team toward the knockout rounds in Istanbul, where homecourt advantage would then become significant. Coaching dean Bogdan Tanjevic has nursed the team's young talent to the level they need to be at. Now, the motivation of playing before their countrymen could be enough to lift the Turks to new heights.

#
 Name
Pos.
H.
4
 Cenk AKyol
G
198
5
 Sinan Guler
G
192
6
 Baris Ermis
G
194
7
 Omer Onan
G
194
8
 Ersan Ilyasova
F
208
9
 Semih Erden
C
210
10
 Kerem Tunceri
G
194
11
 Oguz Savas
C
211
12
 Kerem Gonlum
F
208
13
 Ender Arslan
G
190
14
 Omer Asik
C
211
15
 Hedo Turkoglu
F
208
Head Coach: Bogdan Tanjevic
Turkey will look toward a pair of all-around perimeter forwards, Hedo Turkoglu and Ersan Ilyasova, to lead the charge. Expect the ball to be in Turkoglu's hands a lot while Ilyasova lurks as a finisher, whether cutting or rebounding. They will be the hinge between a young, sizable frontcourt - led by Oguz Savas of Fenerbahce Ulker, Omer Asik and Semih Erden - and an experienced backcourt. Veteran rebounder Kerem Gonlum will add experience up front, while his new Efes Pilsen teammate Cevher Ozer promises points at power forward when Turkey needs them. In the backcourt, a plethora of Euroleague veterans - Omer Onan of Fenerbahce, Ender Arslan and Kerem Tunceri of Efes Pilsen - will be charged with defense and ball distribution. Playing inside-out then shooting well when open could be Turkey's ticket to consistency on offense, allowing the team to better concentrate on defense and thereby keep itself close or ahead against even the biggest opponents.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Euroleague.net
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