The sixteenth pick of the 2000 NBA draft, Hidayet Türkoğlu became the first Turkish-born player to enter the National Basketball Association. Standing 6 feet 10 inches tall, the forward played 15 seasons in the league before transitioning into basketball administration, eventually serving as the president of the Turkish Basketball Federation starting in October 2016.
Early Career and NBA Transition
Before crossing the Atlantic, Türkoğlu spent four seasons with Efes Pilsen starting in 1996. He averaged 8.4 points per game across 50 EuroLeague appearances and helped the squad reach the 2000 EuroLeague Final Four. His performance in Turkey earned him a selection by the Sacramento Kings in the 2000 NBA draft, where he played alongside Vlade Divac and Peja Stojaković.
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Following a single season with the San Antonio Spurs, Türkoğlu joined the Orlando Magic in 2004. The 2007–08 season marked his most productive year, as he averaged career-highs of 19.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. He was named the NBA Most Improved Player that season. In 2009, he led the Magic to the NBA Finals, where the team ultimately fell to the Los Angeles Lakers.
International Competition and Retirement
Türkoğlu represented the Turkish national team in several major tournaments, including a silver medal finish at EuroBasket 2001 and the 2010 FIBA World Championship, where Turkey finished second behind the United States. He retired from international competition in March 2014 and ended his NBA career in November 2015. He was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2026.
Administration and Controversy
After retiring from the court, Türkoğlu accepted a role as CEO of the Turkish Basketball Federation and later became its president. His professional life also included a 20-game suspension in 2013 while with the Orlando Magic after testing positive for the banned substance methenolone, which he attributed to medication provided by a trainer. In 2016, he began serving as a senior adviser to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Fast facts
- Born: 1979, Bayrampaşa
- NBA Most Improved Player: 2008
- FIBA Hall of Fame: 2026
- Height: 6 ft 10 in
- International Retirement: March 2014
- Religion: Islam
- Languages: Turkish
Questions readers ask
Which NBA teams did he play for?
He played for the Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Clippers.
When did he retire from professional basketball?
He announced his retirement from the NBA on November 13, 2015.
Achievements
- FIBA Hall of Fame
- 2002 FIBA World Championship
- 2010 FIBA World Championship
