Hidayet Turkoglu makes history with FIBA Hall of Fame induction

Hidayet Turkoglu, the trailblazing Turkish basketball star and sports administrator, has cemented his legacy by earning induction into the FIBA Hall of Fame. This historic achievement makes the 46-year-old former NBA forward the very first athlete from Türkiye to be enshrined in the international basketball hall of fame, honoring his exceptional contributions to the game both on and off the court over a 20-year career.

A Pioneer on the International and NBA Stage

Turkoglu's journey as a pioneer for Turkish basketball is unparalleled. After helping Anadolu Efes reach the EuroLeague Final Four in 2000, he was selected 16th overall in the NBA Draft, becoming just the second Turkish player in the league's history. His 15-season NBA career was highlighted by winning the Most Improved Player award in 2008 and reaching the NBA Finals with the Orlando Magic in 2009. He remains the all-time leader among Turkish players in NBA games played (1,106 combined regular season and playoffs) and is the only one to surpass 10,000 career points, finishing with 11,022.

Leadership for the Turkish National Team and Federation

His impact wearing the national team jersey was equally profound. Turkoglu was a central figure in Türkiye's golden generation, capturing a silver medal at EuroBasket 2001 and, most memorably, another silver on home soil at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Istanbul, where he was named to the All-Tournament Team. Since retiring and assuming the presidency of the Turkish Basketball Federation (TBF) in 2016, he has successfully transitioned his leadership. Under his guidance, the national team ended a 15-year medal drought by winning silver at EuroBasket 2022, the nation's first podium finish abroad.

A Lasting Legacy for Turkish Basketball

The FIBA Hall of Fame honor recognizes not only Turkoglu's playing career but also his ongoing work in developing the sport. His tenure as TBF President has seen concrete investments in the future, most notably the opening of the Turkcell Basketball Development Centre, which houses Türkiye's first dedicated basketball high school. He will be officially enshrined alongside other global greats like Dirk Nowitzki and Sue Bird in a ceremony in Berlin, Germany, on April 21, 2026. This induction solidifies his status as the foundational figure who elevated Turkish basketball onto the world stage.