Why Turkish People Are Obsessed With Basketball?

It is no secret that basketball is a big deal in Europe and surrounding areas, but there is a surprising amount of love for the game coming from a little country called Turkey.

For what reason? Football will probably always be the most popular sport in Turkey, but basketball is a close second. So, why is the game so popular in Turkey? Whether it is the exceptional Turkish players or the ease of access that Turkish people have to the sport, basketball in this country is undoubtedly a big deal.

An excellent quote by Naci Cancun the senior Turkish director of the NBA, reads: “I think there are enough great players in Turkey. Our primary responsibility is on the commercial side. We have to create a fan base to interact with on an ongoing basis and find companies that can fund this relationship with the fans.

It’s the model you would see in the US, and we hope that the Turkish basketball community starts to [increase] its practices when they see the NBA coming to town. That’s why we are organizing these basketball tournaments. The hope is that the local market is going to start imitating those, and out of those events will come the Michael Jordan of Turkey.’’ 

This kind of inspiration has helped to drive the Turkish community into the arms of the NBA with some of the league’s greatest players and fans. The commitment from the Turkish leaders in the sport and the dedication of these great athletes has encouraged more and more people in Turkey to take a keen interest in basketball as a professional sport.

Turkish greats of the game have included: 

Furkan Korkmaz

Born in Istanbul, this 6’7’’ juggernaut of a player has been with the Philadelphia 76ers since 2017 and has shown no sign of slowing down. He has been designated as a shooting guard and small forward due to his extreme talent with the ball and ability to prevent the opposition from scoring, even under the highest pressures.

He has shown time and time again his defense skill, as well as his consistency with nailing three-pointers. Anyone considering the NBA odds would be wise to keep this player in mind when making a bet on the 76ers.

Cedi Osman

Born in present-day Macedonia to a Turkish father and a Bosnian mother in 1995, 27-year-old Osman has been with the Cleveland Cavaliers since 2017.

One of his main achievements is that he has become part of the 500+ three-point shooters which only eight other Cavaliers have ever accomplished. His current position is small forward, so he has to be relied upon to score, defend, create open lanes and rebounds, and open up scoring opportunities for his team.

One of the main reasons why the Turkish are so obsessed with basketball is their size plays a significant advantage in the sport.

Not only that, the Turkish players are quick and agile and, most importantly, reliable on the court regarding sportsmanship within their team.

This is why the NBA continues to scout Turkish players and induct them into the league. The hard work and due diligence shown by the current Turkish players in the company lead the way for future players.