Andrew Pace
Basketball is a popular sport in Turkey, with sources claiming it to be the most popular sport in the country, closely followed by football. The country has seen success in basketball, with the men's national basketball team winning silver medals in the finals of the 2010 FIBA World Championship and EuroBasket 2001, hosted in Turkey. The women's national basketball team has also seen success, winning silver medals in the EuroBasket Women in 2011 and the European Championship in 2011. In recent years, basketball has gained popularity in Turkey, with the country exporting many of its players to top foreign teams.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Popularity of basketball in Turkey | The most popular sport in Turkey according to a 2012 source; other sources state football is the most popular sport in Turkey |
| Basketball clubs in Turkey | Fenerbahçe S.K., Anadolu Efes S.K., Beşiktaş, Galatasaray |
| Achievements of basketball clubs in Turkey | Fenerbahçe S.K. has the most Euroleague Final Four appearances (seven) and was the first Turkish team to win the title in the 2016–17 season; Anadolu Efes S.K. won the FIBA Korać Cup in 1996 and the Euroleague in 2021 and 2022; Beşiktaş won the FIBA EuroChallenge in the 2011-12 season; Galatasaray won the EuroCup title in 2016 and the FIBA EuroCup in 2008-09 |
| Achievements of the Turkish men's national basketball team | Silver medal in the finals of the 2010 FIBA World Championship and EuroBasket 2001; two gold medals (1987 and 2013), one silver medal (1971), and three bronze medals (1967, 1983, and 2009) in the Mediterranean Games; quarter-finals of the 2006 and 2014 FIBA World Cups |
| Achievements of the Turkish women's national basketball team | Silver medal in the EuroBasket Women in 2011 and the bronze medal in EuroBasket Women 2013; gold medal (2005) and two silver medals (1987 and 1997) in the Mediterranean Games; fifth place in the 2012 Olympic Games |
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What You'll Learn
Basketball is the most popular sport in Turkey
At the club level, Turkish basketball has seen remarkable achievements. Anadolu Efes S.K., formerly known as Efes Pilsen, won the FIBA Korać Cup in 1996 and the Euroleague in 2021 and 2022. They also finished second in the FIBA Saporta Cup in 1993 and reached the Final Four of the Euroleague in 2000 and 2001. Beşiktaş won the FIBA EuroChallenge in the 2011-12 season, and Fenerbahçe won Europe's highest-tier basketball league, the EuroLeague, in the 2016-17 season, becoming the first Turkish club to do so. Galatasaray won the EuroCup title, Europe's second-tier basketball league, in 2016, and both the men's and women's national basketball teams have won multiple medals in the Mediterranean Games.
The success of basketball in Turkey has attracted world-class players to the country, such as Toni Schumacher, Gheorghe Hagi, Roberto Carlos, and Robin van Persie, among others. The popularity of basketball in Turkey has also led to the success of Turkish players on the global stage, with players like Mehmet Okur, Hedo Türkoğlu, and Ersan İlyasova finding success in the NBA. The women's national team has also excelled, winning silver medals at the EuroBasket Women in 2011 and the European Championship in 2011, and a gold medal in the Mediterranean Games. Women's basketball clubs, Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, have also won numerous European championship titles and medals.
Basketball's popularity in Turkey is further enhanced by the country's rich history of sports enthusiasm and the development of fan communities. The sport's universal appeal, combined with its skill and beauty, has made it an ideal partner for Turkish companies looking to expand their global reach, such as Turkish Airlines. With its recent growth and success, basketball has become an integral part of Turkey's sports culture, bringing people together and fostering a sense of national pride.
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Turkish Airlines sponsors basketball
Basketball is a very popular sport in Turkey, with the national team reaching the quarter-finals of the FIBA World Cup in 2006 and 2014, and the women's national team winning the silver medal at the EuroBasket Women in 2011. The country has also produced successful NBA players such as Mehmet Okur, Hedo Türkoğlu, and Ersan İlyasova.
Turkish Airlines, the carrier serving the most countries worldwide, has actively sponsored many sports leagues, including basketball. The airline has established sponsorship agreements with Euroleague and the Türkiye National Basketball Team. In 2010, Turkish Airlines became the Euroleague's title sponsor, with the tournament being called the Turkish Airlines Euroleague from the 2010-11 season until at least 2025. The airline's sponsorship includes logos on the courts, jerseys, and promotional items. This sponsorship helps the company with its visibility and global reach by targeting basketball fans.
In addition to sponsoring the Euroleague, Turkish Airlines has also sponsored individual basketball players. In 2010, the company signed an endorsement deal with Kobe Bryant, who was one of the most influential players of his generation. The partnership with Bryant included a series of advertisements with football star Lionel Messi, which combined Bryant's presence in the basketball world with Turkish Airlines' marketing skills. The campaign included billboards, prints, and online components, and aimed to reach fans in the Middle East and the Far East, where Bryant had a significant fan base.
Turkish Airlines' sponsorship of basketball is part of the airline's overall strategy to leverage its involvement in sports for global recognition. The airline has also sponsored football and golf competitions, as well as individual sports clubs. By partnering with successful sports teams and athletes, Turkish Airlines aims to increase its brand presence and reach a wider audience.
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Turkey's national basketball team
Basketball is a popular sport in Turkey, with the country's national basketball team achieving notable successes in international tournaments. The sport's popularity in Turkey can partly be attributed to the American drama 'The White Shadow', which aired in the country and sparked interest in basketball. The Turkish national basketball team has come a long way since its early days, when it lacked experience and struggled to achieve international victories.
The men's team had a challenging period in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, but they started to turn things around in the 1980s, winning gold at the 1981 Balkan Championship and the 1987 Mediterranean Games. They continued to improve and, as hosts of the EuroBasket 2001, the Turkish national basketball team, led by coach Aydın Örs, reached the EuroBasket final for the first time. They defeated strong opponents like Croatia and Germany before facing FR Yugoslavia in the final.
The Turkey women's national basketball team has also achieved remarkable feats, winning the silver medal at the EuroBasket Women in 2011. This success showcases the country's strong development in women's basketball. At the club level, Turkish basketball has witnessed significant triumphs. Anadolu Efes S.K. (formerly known as Efes Pilsen) stands out as the first Turkish club to win a European Cup in any team sport. They achieved this feat by winning the 1995-96 FIBA Korać Cup and later added to their success by claiming the Euroleague title in 2021 and 2022.
Fenerbahçe S.K. has also been a dominant force in Turkish basketball, with the men's team winning Europe's highest-tier basketball league, the EuroLeague, in the 2016-17 season. They became the first Turkish club to achieve this victory. Additionally, the Fenerbahçe Women's Basketball team secured their first Euroleague title in 2023. The success of Turkish basketball players has not been limited to domestic competitions, as individuals like Mehmet Okur, Hedo Türkoğlu, and Ersan İlyasova have represented Turkey successfully in the NBA.
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Basketball clubs in Turkey
Basketball is one of the most popular sports in Turkey, with the country's basketball players achieving success in international competitions. The country's top basketball clubs include Fenerbahçe S.K., Anadolu Efes S.K. (formerly known as Efes Pilsen), and Beşiktaş.
Fenerbahçe S.K. is one of the most successful clubs in Turkey, with the most Euroleague Final Four appearances (seven) and was the first Turkish team to win the Euroleague in the 2016-17 season. The club has also produced the most national athletes across various sports disciplines.
Anadolu Efes S.K. is another highly successful club, with 14 titles in total. They won the FIBA Korać Cup in 1996, finished second in the FIBA Saporta Cup in 1993, and reached the Final Four of the Euroleague in 2000 and 2001, becoming the first Turkish club to achieve this feat. In recent years, Anadolu Efes has continued its success, winning the Euroleague again in 2021 and 2022.
Beşiktaş has also made its mark in Turkish basketball, winning the FIBA EuroChallenge in the 2011-12 season.
Other notable clubs include Galatasaray, which won the EuroCup in 2016, and Darussafaka, which claimed the Eurocup in 2018.
Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, has the highest number of basketball clubs, with six teams based in the city.
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Basketball players from Turkey in the NBA/WNBA
Basketball is the most popular sport in Turkey, closely followed by football. The sport's popularity in Turkey, as well as its global appeal, has led to partnerships with Turkish Airlines and other corporations.
Turkish Players in the NBA
Mirsad Türkcan was the first Turkish basketball player to play in the NBA.
Turkish Players in the WNBA
Sevgi Uzun is a Turkish professional basketball player who plays as a point guard for Chicago Sky of the WNBA and Fenerbahçe of the Turkish Super League and EuroLeague Women. She also plays for the Turkish national team. She started her career in the Beşiktaş youth academy in 2013 and stepped into professional basketball, playing in 86 matches across 5 seasons. After successful seasons in Beşiktaş and Europe, she was transferred to the Çukurova Basketbol team in the 2018-19 season. She scored a total of 201 points with an average of 5.29 per game in 38 matches. She played for Fenerbahçe between 2019 and 2021, winning the 2020-21 undefeated championship of the Turkish Super League, the 2019 Turkish Presidential Cup, and the 2019-20 Turkish Cup. On 23 February 2024, she was transferred to the Dallas Wings of the WNBA and became the second Turkish basketball player to play in the WNBA. In 2025, she was transferred to another WNBA team, Phoenix Mercury.
Nevriye Yılmaz was the first Turkish basketball player to play in the WNBA.
Other WNBA players who have played in Turkey include Sugar Rodgers, who played for the Turkish club Osmaniye, and Kiah Stokes, who played for Besiktas of the Turkish league.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, basketball is one of the most popular sports in Turkey.
Basketball in Turkey has seen a lot of success. The Turkish men's national basketball team won the silver medal in the finals of the 2010 FIBA World Championship and EuroBasket 2001, hosted by Turkey. They also won two gold medals (1987 and 2013), one silver medal (1971) and three bronze medals (1967, 1983 and 2009) in the Mediterranean Games.
Some popular basketball clubs in Turkey include Anadolu Efes S.K., Fenerbahçe S.K., and Beşiktaş.
Basketball is one of the most popular sports in Turkey, along with football (soccer), volleyball, and wrestling.
