BASKETBALL PLAYERS from Turkey

Top 10

The following people are considered by Pantheon to be the top 10 most legendary Turkish Basketball Players of all time. This list of famous Turkish Basketball Players is sorted by HPI (Historical Popularity Index), a metric that aggregates information on a biography’s online popularity. Visit the rankings page to view the entire list of Turkish Basketball Players.

1. Hedo Türkoğlu (1979 - )

With an HPI of 42.11, Hedo Türkoğlu is the most famous Turkish Basketball Player.  His biography has been translated into 39 different languages on wikipedia.

Hidayet "Hedo" Türkoğlu (Turkish pronunciation: [hidaːˈjet ˈtyɾkoːɫu]; born March 19, 1979) is a Turkish basketball executive and former professional player. A 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) forward, Türkoğlu played for six teams in his 15-season career in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He won the NBA's Most Improved Player for the 2007–08 NBA season and played in the NBA Finals for the Magic in 2009. He also played for Turkey's national team in international competition. Türkoğlu has served as president of the Turkish Basketball Federation since October 2016.

2. Mehmet Okur (1979 - )

With an HPI of 38.36, Mehmet Okur is the 2nd most famous Turkish Basketball Player.  His biography has been translated into 29 different languages.

Mehmet Murat Okur (born 26 May 1979) is a Turkish former professional basketball player. Listed at 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m), he played as a power forward and center. Okur is known for his three-point shooting and ability to space the floor. In his seven seasons with the Utah Jazz, he emerged as a talented shooter in the NBA. From 2004 to 2010, he displayed a talent for making big shots in pressure situations, earning him the nickname of "The Money Man" and "Memo is Money" among Jazz fans. Okur was also the first Turkish player in NBA history to win an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004. In 2016, Okur was named a player development coach for the Phoenix Suns, becoming the first Turkish citizen to enter the coaching world in the NBA.

3. Ersan İlyasova (1987 - )

With an HPI of 36.77, Ersan İlyasova is the 3rd most famous Turkish Basketball Player.  His biography has been translated into 34 different languages.

Ersan İlyasova (born 15 May 1987) is a Turkish former professional basketball player. He played 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), including 9 seasons for the Milwaukee Bucks. He also played in Turkey, Spain and the NBA Development League.

4. İbrahim Kutluay (1974 - )

With an HPI of 36.20, İbrahim Kutluay is the 4th most famous Turkish Basketball Player.  His biography has been translated into 20 different languages.

İbrahim Kutluay (born 7 January 1974) is a former Turkish professional basketball player who has been a manager and pundit since his retirement. He played the shooting guard position, and in his prime, was one of the most prolific 3-point shooters worldwide. He scored a record 50 points at the 1996 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship against Italy, and also 41 points in a EuroLeague game against Cibona Zagreb during the 1998–99 season. He was the first Turkish basketball player to win the EuroLeague championship, winning the 2002 EuroLeague Final Four with the Greek club Panathinaikos. Kutluay was the fourth Turk to play in the NBA. He is described as a 'stellar basketball player' whose 'legacy goes beyond his shooting skills, leadership, and incredible talent'. In addition to his professional career, he has also attracted interest as a high society figure due to his fame, wealth and personal life which has continuously been subjected to media scrutiny.

5. Ömer Aşık (1986 - )

With an HPI of 35.26, Ömer Aşık is the 5th most famous Turkish Basketball Player.  His biography has been translated into 33 different languages.

Ömer Faruk Aşık (Turkish pronunciation: [œmæɾ aːʃɯk]; born July 4, 1986) is a Turkish former professional basketball player who last played for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Aşık, standing at 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m), was sought after by many of the top Euroleague basketball teams at the age of 19. Aşık got his first chance playing professionally with the Turkish Basketball League team Fenerbahçe in 2005–06. After one season with Alpella, Aşık moved back to Fenerbahçe and eventually ended his Turkish club career with them in 2009–10. He gained recognition playing for the Turkey national team at the 2010 FIBA World Championship, and as the starting center, he helped Turkey win the silver medal. In July 2010, Aşık signed with the Chicago Bulls. He was nicknamed "The Turkish Hammer" and "Asik the Destroyer" by Bulls commentator Stacey King.

6. Semih Erden (1986 - )

With an HPI of 33.96, Semih Erden is the 6th most famous Turkish Basketball Player.  His biography has been translated into 25 different languages.

Semih Erden (born July 28, 1986) is a Turkish professional basketball player for Bursaspor İnfo Yatırım of the Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL). Standing at 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m), he plays at the center position.

7. James Gist (1986 - )

With an HPI of 33.45, James Gist is the 7th most famous Turkish Basketball Player.  His biography has been translated into 15 different languages.

James Clough Gist III (born October 26, 1986) is an American professional basketball player for Prawira Bandung of the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL). Standing at 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m), he plays as a power forward and small ball center. Born in Adana, Turkey, he played high school basketball for Our Lady of Good Counsel, before enrolling to the University of Maryland to play college basketball for the Terrapins, from 2004 to 2008. Gist was considered for a time one of the best forward-centers in Europe, due to his defensive abilities and for his dunks, alley-oops, and his athleticism.

8. Furkan Korkmaz (1997 - )

With an HPI of 27.74, Furkan Korkmaz is the 8th most famous Turkish Basketball Player.  His biography has been translated into 19 different languages.

Furkan Korkmaz (born 24 July 1997) is a Turkish professional basketball player who last played for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was born and raised in Istanbul, and was selected 26th in the 2016 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. Korkmaz is 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) tall and plays the shooting guard and small forward positions. In February 2024 he was traded to the Indiana Pacers.

9. Ömer Onan (1978 - )

With an HPI of 27.73, Ömer Onan is the 9th most famous Turkish Basketball Player.  His biography has been translated into 16 different languages.

Ömer Onan (born February 4, 1978) is a Turkish former professional basketball player. Standing 1.94 m (6 ft 4 ½ in) and weighing 95.4 kg (210 lbs.), he played at the shooting guard position.

10. Sinan Güler (1983 - )

With an HPI of 26.81, Sinan Güler is the 10th most famous Turkish Basketball Player.  His biography has been translated into 15 different languages.

Sinan Güler (born November 8, 1983) is a former Turkish professional basketball player.