Hidayet Türkoğlu becomes first Turkish player in FIBA Hall of Fame

Hidayet Türkoğlu, President of the Turkish Basketball Federation, was honored at a ceremony after being inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame for 2026, becoming the first Turkish player to receive this distinction.

The ceremony, organized by FIBA, took place at Kraftwerk Berlin in Berlin, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency.

Alongside Türkoğlu, several basketball legends were inducted, including Dirk Nowitzki, Sue Bird, Céline Dumerc, Clarisse Machanguana, Wang Zhizhi, and Ismenia Pauchard, while Ludwik Miętta-Mikołajewicz was honored as a coach.

The ceremony was attended by Saud Ali Al Thani, Andreas Zagklis, and numerous figures from the basketball world. Representatives from Türkiye, including former national team coach Aydın Örs, were also present.

During his speech, Türkoğlu expressed his pride and emotion:

“Being here today is a great honor and a deeply emotional moment for me. Basketball has given me so much throughout my life, but the most valuable thing has been the privilege of representing my country. I accept this honor not only on my own behalf, but on behalf of all athletes who have proudly worn the national jersey.”

He added that sharing the stage with such legendary figures made the moment even more meaningful and thanked FIBA and the selection committee.

Reflecting on his journey, Türkoğlu highlighted his early days in Türkiye and his transition to the NBA, describing it as both a personal achievement and a transformative experience that made him a stronger player and person.

He also expressed gratitude to his family, teammates, and coaches, particularly Stan Van Gundy, emphasizing their role in his success. He thanked Turkish fans for their constant support, calling it one of his greatest sources of motivation.

Türkoğlu noted that one of his greatest achievements has been inspiring young people to pursue basketball and sports, expressing hope that more Turkish and global talents will reach the highest levels.

A lasting legacy in Turkish basketball

Over a 20-year career spanning the national team, Anadolu Efes, and the NBA, Türkoğlu achieved numerous successes. Since ending his playing career, he has served as president of the Turkish Basketball Federation since 2016.

He played 309 games for the national team between 1994 and 2014, scoring 3,475 points and captaining the team for many years. He was part of the squads that won silver medals at the EuroBasket 2001 and the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

Türkoğlu also made history as the first Turkish player to start in the NBA and the only one to surpass 10,000 points. Over a 15-year NBA career, he played for six teams, appearing in 997 regular-season games and 109 playoff games—making him the Turkish player with the most NBA appearances. In 2008, with the Orlando Magic, he was named the league’s Most Improved Player.

The FIBA Hall of Fame honors individuals who have significantly contributed to the development and global spread of basketball, recognizing not only achievements but also long-term impact and legacy.

Previously, Turkish sports executive Turgut Atakol was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007 for his contributions to the institutional development of basketball.