Official: Ergin Ataman takes over the Turkish national team / News - Basketnews.com

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Anadolu Efes Istanbul head coach Ergin Ataman was named the bench boss of the Turkish national team, the Turkish Basketball Federation announced in the press conference.

3-pointers this season

37%9,9Points made:9,9Accuracy:37,1%Place in standings:1Record max:22Record min:4Most made 3FGs:Shane LarkinTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Ataman's upcoming major challenge with Turkey comes in 2022 when he will guide the squad in the 2022 EuroBasket. Turkey will play in Group A, where they will face Spain, Russia, Georgia, Belgium, and Bulgaria.

"Our goal is the EuroBasket in September. I was humble, I said we will go for a medal, but we actually want to be champions. If the team has these players and Ergin Ataman as their head coach, the goal is the EuroBasket title.

I am an ambitious person. I say to everyone: we are here to win medals in the European & World Championships, and the Olympics.

I am pretty excited. The Federation said that they thought of me as the first candidate for the national team," spoke Ataman.

He also add some words about the FIBA windows system: "We made great coordination with clubs and the Federation until now. EuroLeague is the organization that clubs actually own. Itoudis has the same issue with Greece, while Scariolo is the Spanish NT coach. I think this clash needs to be resolved and I believe, there will be a compromise. If there is no solution, the national team is above all."

The 56-year-old specialist will have to balance his duties at the EuroLeague club and the NT.

It is the second stint for Ataman at the helm of the Turkish NT.

He also coached the team from 2014 to 2016. Ataman stepped in and took charge of Turkey for the 2014 World Cup, where the country was eliminated in the quarterfinals.

His team had no better luck next year in EuroBasket 2015, they were thoroughly outplayed in the Round of 16.

After the disappointment for Turkey in 2015, Ergin Ataman still had the responsibility to navigate Turkey to the 2016 Olympic Tournament. The national team once again had a letdown, being eliminated from qualifications. After that loss, he was replaced by Ufuk Sarica.

Ergin Ataman won EuroLeague title with Anadolu Efes last season. In the current campaign, the Turkish powerhouse qualified for playoffs, where they will meet AX Armani Exchange Milan.

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