Hedo Turkoglu vows to reveal background of Larkin's and Wilbekin's absence / News - Basketnews.com

Hidayet Turkoglu, President of the Turkish Basketball Federation, promised to give a detailed account of how Shane Larkin and Scottie Wilbekin missed the Olympic Pre-Qualifying tournament.

Credit: Mehmet Eser/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Credit Mehmet Eser/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Shane Larkin andScottie Wilbekinwere included in Turkey's preliminary squad that was announced before the FIBA ​​Olympic Pre-Qualification Tournament.

Hidayet Turkoglu

Position:SFAge:44Height:208 cmWeight:100 kgBirth place:Istanbul, TurkeyProfileNewsStatistics

However, neither player joined the squad due to injury. Coach Ergin Ataman called Wilbekin out, claiming the American-born guard was nowhere to be found, "despite all the calls we made to him and his club."

"There's nothing we can do, we can't force anyone and tell them, 'Come, play for the national team.' We announced the preliminary roster five weeks ago and informed all clubs about that.

We also tried to reach the players, but if the player does not pick up the phone, there's nothing you can do. In this case, you notify their club, and you wait," Ataman said after beating Poland98-73on Wednesday night.

Following his remarks,Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul released an official statement denying Ataman's allegations. The club argued that Wilbekin didn't decline the invitation, but requested to be excused from the qualifying games this summer due to his significant knee injury.

"Our club maintained silence on this matter until now, aiming to safeguard the interests of our National Team," the statement mentions. "We anticipate that our branch officials will provide a comprehensive statement after the conclusion of the National Team games, evaluating the team's current status and the events of the summer."

Following the developments, TBF President Hidayet Turkoglu spoke to TRT Spor about the issue. The retired player promised to come forward and explain the whole process to the public about the two players after the tournament.

"It is really sad that such processes have come to this point," Turkoglu said.

"I don't want to go into too much detail here, but I would like to tell everyone that I will make a statement as the president of TBF after the tournament is over. We are a team that wants everyone to be here when we announce the call-ups," the Turkish legend went on to say.

"We invite the players that our coach and staff want to see as a part of this team. Of course, there are those who come into this process with excuses, but we need to better explain some processes to the public. Especially about both Scottie Wilbekin and Shane Larkin," Turkoglu pointed out.

"As TBF, we give some advantages to these players, so that they can play in the national team, and as a result, they have to come and play for the national team until they get injured. When these conditions are not met, there are measures to be taken.

In this process, it's not right for me to make a statement about two players before the tournament. But after 20 August, no one should doubt that I will share everything with the public with all clarity. The first obligation of these players in this process is to join the team when the national team invites them."

Turkoglu, 44, stressed that some things are not a matter of right and wrong.

"As management, we always know how to take our share of responsibility. No one should doubt that we will share with everyone the explanations, what we will do, and the steps we will take after the tournament is over," he repeated.

Like what we are doing? You can express your gratitude here.