FIBA inducts Hidayet Türkoğlu into 2026 Hall of Fame

Former NBA star and Turkish Basketball Federation President Hidayet Türkoğlu was officially inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2026. Speaking at the ceremony held at Kraftwerk Berlin, Türkoğlu expressed his gratitude, saying: “Standing here today is an incredible honor, and a deeply emotional moment for me. Basketball has given me so much throughout my life — but above all, it gave me the privilege of representing my country.”

First Turkish-born NBA player

Reflecting on his 15-year NBA career, Türkoğlu recalled that becoming the first Turkish-born player in NBA history was more than a personal milestone — it was “stepping into a completely different world.” He praised FIBA as “the true home of international basketball,” where the game connects cultures and allows players to dream beyond borders. He also thanked his coaches, including Aydın Örs and Stan Van Gundy, for their guidance and belief in him.

Hope for future athletes

The 47-year-old former Orlando Magic star, who helped lead his team to the NBA Finals in 2009, shared his hope that many more young athletes from Türkiye and around the world will stand on similar stages in the future. His induction highlights Türkiye’s growing presence in global basketball and celebrates a career that inspired a generation.