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Omer Yurtseven Rumors
Eurobasket players debate who could guard Jokic: Mutombo, Rodman, Shaq, Wilt named
Cedi Osman, Omer Yurtseven, Shane Larkin, Onuralp Bitim, Kenan Sipahi, Furkan Korkmaz, and Trevonte Williams all spoke to Meridian Sport searching for the answer to who they’d bring in to “defend” against Jokic’s brilliance. Cedi Osman: “You caught me off guard. Very tough question… Right now no one can guard him, that’s for sure. But maybe I’d pick Dikembe Mutombo.” He added that Jokic will always get his numbers, so the goal is only to make it harder for him. Trevonte Williams, after asking Shane Larkin for help: Larkin said, “Dwight Howard! But from his younger days—when he was at his peak.” Williams agreed: “Not a bad choice. Maybe Howard, maybe Shaquille O’Neal, maybe Mutombo? Honestly, I don’t even know if anyone could guard him at all. Best hope is he gets sick the day of the game—that’s the only defense.” Furkan Korkmaz: “Very tough question… Dennis Rodman! That would be a real battle between the two.” Omer Yurtseven (without hearing Korkmaz’s answer): “I’d look for someone smaller but strong, so I’d say Rodman. He could play aggressive, get in front of him… If they lob over him, he’s fast enough to recover. He could take rebounds too. His only job on the team would be guarding Jokic.” Onuralp Bitim: “Not sure… I’d probably pick Wilt Chamberlain.” Kenan Sipahi wrapped it up: “Who can guard Jokic? Honestly, no one. I’ve thought about it a lot. Maybe Arvydas Sabonis senior, but honestly, it’s hard to imagine anyone.”
Here are the 12 players who will represent Turkey at EuroBasket: Onuralp Bitim, Adem Bona, Sehmus Hazer, Furkan Korkmaz, Shane Larkin, Cedi Osman, Ercan Osmani, Sertac Sanli, Alperen Sengun, Kenan Sipahi, Erkan Yilmaz, Omer Yurtseven.
Panathinaikos has reportedly made a decision regarding the future of Omer Yurtseven, the Turkish center with NBA experience. According to SDNA, the club has decided not to activate the contract exit clause for the player — a clause that could have been exercised until July 30 — in a move reportedly driven by head coach Ergin Ataman’s will.
The Turkish Basketball Federation announced the preliminary roster of the national team for the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket. Houston Rockets All-Star center Alperen Sengun headlines a roster of 16 players. The list also includes Philadelphia 76ers forward/center Adem Bona who is expected to make his debut with the Turkish national team. EuroLeague superstar guard Shane Larkin will be the naturalized player of the “12 Giant Men” in his return to a major tournament after the 2022 EuroBasket. Turkey’s full preliminary roster: Adem Bona, Alperen Sengun, Berk Ugurlu, Cedi Osman, Ercan Osmani, Erkan Yilmaz, Furkan Korkmaz, Kenan Sipahi, Onuralp Bitim, Omer Yurtseven, Maxim Mutaf, Sertac Sanli, Shane Larkin, Sehmus Hazer, Yigit Arslan, Yigitcan Saybir.
Osman, 29, joined Kostas Antetokounmpo, Lorenzo Brown, Jerian Grant, Marius Grigonis, Juancho Hernangomez, Panagiotis Kalaitzakis, Mathias Lessort, Konstantinos Mitoglou, Dimitris Moraitis, Kendrick Nunn, Ioannis Papapetrou, Kostas Sloukas, and Omer Yurtseven on the team coached by Ataman. “That is why I am here,” he replied about looking to help the Greens retain the EuroLeague championship, “We have a great team. They did an amazing job last year. But this year, I believe the league is even harder. A lot of great teams with a lot of great transfers. But, obviously, we are the best. We will go for the back-to-back.”
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Knicks had interest in Bruno Fernando
The only new information I have here is that, as of late last month, the Knicks were at the very least exploring the market for a veteran center. Earlier in the offseason, the Knicks had some interest in signing Bruno Fernando. Fernando signed a nonguaranteed deal with the Raptors in early August. As noted last month, the Knicks also made an offer to Omer Yurtseven earlier in free agency. Yurtseven didn’t give the offer strong consideration and last week agreed to terms with European club Panathinaikos.
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens officially added another player to their EuroLeague championship roster. The Greek club announced that Omer Yurtseven is joining the team on a 1+1 deal. "I feel particularly excited to now belong to the Panathinaikos family, the team I watched a few months ago win the Euroleague. It's a unique feeling," the player said following the signing.
Panathinaikos emerged victorious in both competitions last year. both winning the Greek League and especially coming back to European success by lifting their seventh EuroLeague title. However, Ergin Ataman’s team didn’t want to stop there and even strengthened its roster by adding Lorenzo Brown to an already stacked backcourt and Omer Yurtseven to form an elite frontcourt. Joining Mathias Lessort and Kostas Antetokounmpo, the Turkish center now signed the contract with PAO.
Omer Yurtseven close to deal with Panathinaikos?
He confirms that Panathinaikos is considering signing a center from the NBA, Turkish international Omer Yurtseven. “It’s true what’s being written. There’s nothing to hide: he is one of the players we’re interested in. Contact was made; we inquired just to get an idea of whether it’s realistic or not. But there’s still something that needs to align for that transfer to happen.”
Ian Begley: Re: Omer Yurtseven, I reached out to the Glass’s for clarity & Omer worked out for NYK, as @TheSteinLine said. Workout was early July. NYK made Omer an offer. It wasn’t something he would seriously consider. Re: Panathinaikos & Omer, sides are close on a deal but nothing is done
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Eurohoops: ☘️🤝According to Eurohoops sources, Omer Yurtseven has agreed in principle to return to Europe for Panathinaikos, asking a few days before finalizing the deal to examine his last NBA chances. pic.x.com/m7zccnos51
Omer Yurtseven to Greece?
Omer Yurtseven has been in the NBA since 2021. However, the 26-year-old center appears increasingly likely to continue his career in Europe. According to a report from the Greek outlet SDNA, Panathinaikos has made an official offer for the free agent Yurtseven. The report states that coach Ergin Ataman has given the club president, Dimitris Giannakopoulos, the “green light” for the signing of the Turkish player.
The Knicks recently auditioned free agent big man Omer Yurtseven, among others, but did not elect to sign him. Panathinaikos of Greece has publicly stated interest in bringing Yurtseven to the EuroLeague.
Panathinaikos interested in Omer Yurtseven
Panathinaikos coach Ergin Ataman revealed that the club is considering signing center Omer Yurtseven from the NBA. “Getting a very important player like Omer Faruk and making that transfer would give us great power, on paper,” Ataman said to Ajanspor. “However, we have concerns about how it will reflect on the court. We are thinking about it, I mean he’s on our radar.”
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