Onuralp Bitim Rumors

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.”

Meridian Sports

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.

Hoops Rumors

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.

EuroHoops.net

Fenerbahce BEKO Istanbul have announced their agreement with Onuralp Bitim until the end of the 2027-28 season. BasketNews' Donatas Urbonas first reported about the deal on November 3. Bitim, 25, one of the most important talents of the country's basketball, last played for the Chicago Bulls. As part of the agreement, he will spend the 2024-25 season with FC Bayern Munich.

BasketNews

Sources have told BasketNews that Fenerbahce is targeting Turkish swingman Onuralp Bitim, who recently became a free agent after the Chicago Bulls waived him.

BasketNews

The Chicago Bulls have waived wing Onuralp Bitim and forward Kenneth Lofton Jr. Chicago still has Talen Horton-Tucker and E.J. Liddell with the team on Exhibit 10 contracts.

RealGM

KC Johnson: To be clear, Bitim’s partial guarantee didn’t take effect until opening night. Overall point stands: THT is leader in clubhouse for final spot.

x.com

Michael Scotto: The Chicago Bulls have waived guard Onuralp Bitim and forward Kenneth Lofton Jr, team says. pic.x.com/jZAp3nTxgE

Twitter

K.C. Johnson; Onuralp Bitim, who suffered detached retina in his right eye in Bulls’ next-to-last game of season, said he endured two surgeries to fix issue and, as part of his recovery, had to lie on his stomach for 15 hours a day for multiple days. He’s healthy, battling for 15th roster spot

x.com

NBA Central: Onuralp Bitim has been diagnosed with a detached retina in his right eye and will be out for the remainder of the postseason, per @chicagobulls Prayers up 🙏 pic.twitter.com/KWIvZHLLC1

Twitter

KC Johnson: Mavericks 127, Bulls 92 Bitim 17 pts, 6 rebs (career-highs) Doncic 27 pts, 14 assists, 12 rebs Lively II 22 pts, 7 rebs, 11-12 FGs Gafford 20 pts, 7 rebs, 9-9 FGs (has made 28 straight FGs)

Twitter

KC Johnson: Onuralp Bitim: “I was dreaming of this moment for a long time.” Said he idolized DeRozan growing up and when DeRozan hugged him in second OT to tell him how well he played, it meant the world to him.

Twitter

Julia Poe: Onulrap Bitim scored his first NBA basket tonight and finished with 10 points and six rebounds in 27 min. In OT2, DeMar DeRozan hugged OB and said he was proud of him. “I grew up watching him. He was one of my idols. … Hearing that words from him is a really huge blessing.” pic.twitter.com/ZHUXYVvKxx

Twitter

"OB was incredible. He’s a guy who has played professional basketball for awhile. He doesn’t have that rookie mentality,” Andre Drummond said. “He played like he belongs. And he does."

nbcsportschicago.com