Ergin Ataman: 'We might add a new foreigner to the national team' / News - Basketnews.com

Turkiye coach Ergin Ataman discussed the possibility of adding a new foreigner to the national team.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Ergin Ataman, the head coach of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens and Turkiye men's national team coach, is preparing his country's team for the upcoming FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers.

As part of his remarks to the Turkish media after the team's first training sessions, Ataman revealed that they are considering adding a new foreigner to the team.

On the topic, Ergin Ataman first talked about Tarik Biberovic, the Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul player whom Turkiye will use as a foreigner after FIBA denied their request to have him considered a local player.

"Tarik Biberovic has improved a lot. He has been improving his performance in the last two years, especially this year. He is also getting serious minutes in the EuroLeague. I think he will contribute to the team. He has been playing in Turkiye for many years," the coach said.

"I hope that we can use Tarik Biberovic as a Turkish player and not as an import, like in the case of Ercan Osmani," said the coach, recalling Osmani's Albanian-Turkish background. "Maybe we can also have the door open for a player from Europe or the NBA who can take the team to another level. This is also in our plans," he revealed.

Since the Turkish statuses of Shane Larkin and Scottie Wilbekin have been revoked, Turkiye will have their foreigner slot open in the event that Biberovic receives clearance to play as a local player.

Ataman did not reveal any names in his remarks, but considering Turkiye's lengthy history of recruiting imports, such as Emir Preldzic, Muhammad Ali, Scottie Wilbekin, and Shane Larkin, it is entirely possible that Turkiye will have a new name soon.

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