Onuralp Bitim talks rise to the NBA, Panathinaikos's offer / News - Basketnews.com

Chicago Bulls forward Onuralp Bitim talked about his journey to the NBA and the offer he received from Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens last summer.

Credit: SPO Credit SPO

A success story among all others in the NBA this year was the rise of Onuralp Bitim, the Turkish international who started off as a two-way player for the Chicago Bulls and then had his contract converted to become a full member of the team.

Onuralp Bitim

Team:Chicago BullsPosition:SGAge:25Height:198 cmWeight:93 kgBirth place:Istanbul, TurkeyProfileNewsStatistics

In an interview with SDNA.gr, the forward talked about his rise and how he rejected offers, such as that from Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, to try his luck in the NBA.

"I mean, it's an unbelievable feeling. Like I said many times [before], this is my childhood dream," Bitim said about his NBA ambition. "It feels really good to feel the accomplishment of that dream."

"The clubs that I played for, I chose those clubs to come here," he said about his previous stint with Bursaspor Info Yatirim, formerly known as Frutti Extra Bursaspor, where he played for two seasons under Dusan Alimpijevic and became one of the more attractive Turkish talents in Europe.

"I had much better offers, money-wise or club-wise. I could play in the EuroLeague. [However], all my goals were to come here."

While the future looks bright for Bitim, the season and his road to where he is now were definitely not cakewalks.

"I am not going to lie, it wasn't easy, it was hard. I started as a two-way player; I broke my nose and had the first surgery of my life," he explained. "The beginning of the season was hard for me, but that's who I am. I just don't give up. I always follow my dreams."

I was lucky that I was in a very good organization with people that believe in me. Front office-wise, coaching-wise, and especially, my teammates. After I passed through those hard times, I started to feel much better, and it started to feel easier," Bitim praised his team, which embraced him with open arms in a debut performance of 10 points and 6 rebounds against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Although he is happy where he is now, the Turkish international revealed that he received an offer from Panathinaikos and coach Ergin Ataman.

"Yes, we had discussions with Panathinaikos and coach Ataman. I worked with him in Efes and in the national team. He is one of the best coaches in the whole of Europe and Panathinaikos is one of the best clubs in European history," he said.

"It is an honor for me that he and Panathinaikos wanted me. I don't know [about] the future, but right now, my focus is with the Chicago Bulls and the NBA," he concluded.

Finally, he had a clear answer when asked about Panathinaikos's post-season situation.

"I think they will be in the Final Four."

With the Chicago Bulls, Onuralp Bitim is averaging 3.9 points and 1.7 rebounds across 18 contests with 12.6 minutes of playing time per game.

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