MIES (Switzerland) - Hedo Türkoğlu, who represented Türkiye for nearly two decades and had a long and successful professional career in Europe and the NBA, is being inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame as a member of class of 2026.
He will be honored at an enshrinement ceremony in Berlin on April 21, along with other members of the class - Sue Bird (USA), Celine Dumerc (France), Clarisse Eulalia Machanguana Ambrosi (Mozambique), Ludwik Miętta-Mikołajewicz (Poland), Dirk Nowitzki (Germany), Whang Zhizhi (China) and Ismenia Pauchard (Chile), who is being inducted posthumously.
Türkoğlu makes history as the first player from his homeland to go into the FIBA Hall of Fame.
He began raising eyebrows as a member of his country's youth teams and went on to provide international basketball with legendary moments.
A long and powerful forward, he was an exciting talent in the Efes Pilsen club that captured the attention of NBA scouts. He featured with Efes in the FIBA EuroLeague from 1997 through 2000 and during that stretch won a couple of Turkish domestic league crowns.
During that time, he was also a standout for his country in youth tournaments, including the European Championship for Cadets (1995), the European Championship for Junior Men (1996) and the European Championship for Men '22 and Under' (1997 and '98).
By 1999, when he was still only 20, he became a major player with Türkiye's national team, averaging 12.4 points per game at the FIBA EuroBasket in France, with the team reaching the Quarter-Finals.
He soon after shot to worldwide prominence as the first Turkish-born player in NBA history, when the Sacramento Kings selected him 16th overall in the 2000 NBA Draft.
Next at FIBA EuroBasket 2001, Türkoğlu took center stage as one of the 12 Giant Men's most compelling figures. Not only did he average 15.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists, he had a starring role in one of the most famous games in EuroBasket history, a 79-78 overtime triumph against Germany in the Semi-Finals.
Türkoğlu forced the extra period with a long 3 and then scored 6 points in the overtime, including an eye-popping, game-winning bucket. He dribbled his way into the lane and displayed beautiful footwork before spinning to get wide open for the easiest of lay-ups.
What was striking about Türkoğlu in those decisive moments was his fearless approach. He was a true leader in the game's hardest moments. Türkoğlu finished that game with 23 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals.
That win was the country's first signature moment in the basketball history. Türkiye finished the event in second place.
In the NBA, Türkoğlu was named the league's most improved player in 2008, before leading the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals in 2009.
Again with his national team at the 2010 FIBA Basketball World Cup, his presence in Istanbul rekindled memories of what had happened before in 2001.
This time among the most experienced of veterans in Europe and at his peak, he led the team on an unbeaten run to the Final before the USA denied them the title.
Türkoğlu made the All-Star Five after averaging 12.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists. He shot 41.7 percent from 3-point range and performed exceptionally well in the key games at the end of the tournament.
His last event with his country was the FIBA EuroBasket 2013. Since 2016, he has served as President of the Turkish Basketball Federation.
Name | Hedo Türkoğlu |
|---|---|
Category of inductee | Player (Forward) |
Date of birth | 19th March 1979 |
Place of birth | Istanbul, Türkiye |
Nationality | Turkish |
Height | 2.08m, 6ft 10in |
Teams | · Efes Pilsen (1996-2000) · Sacramento Kings (2000-2003) · San Antonio Spurs (2003-2004) · Orlando Magic (2004-2009) · Toronto Raptors (2009-2010) · Phoenix Suns (2010) · Orlando Magic (2010-2014) · Los Angeles Clippers (2014-2015 |
Club highlights | · Turkish League champion (1997) · Two-time Turkish Cup winner (1997,1998) · Two-time Turkish Presidential Cup winner (1998, 2000) · NBA Eastern Conference champion and NBA finalist (2009) |
National team highlights | · FIBA EuroBasket silver medalist (2001) · FIBA World Cup silver medalist (2010) |
Individual highlights | · Played 309 games, 21 years with the Turkish National Team (1994-2014) · Played in eight FIBA EuroBaskets in a row (1999-2013) · Played in two FIBA World Cups (2002, 2010) · FIBA World Cup 2010 All-Star Five · First Turkish-born player in NBA history · NBA All-Star Rising Stars Game Selection, Rookies - Sophomores (2002) · NBA Most Improved Player (2007-08) |