Hedo Türkoğlu
Hidayet Türkoğlu joined the basketball club Efes Pilsen in 1996. He played four seasons with this team before moving to North America. During his time there, he averaged 8.4 points on 58 percent shooting across 50 games in the EuroLeague. The young forward helped the squad reach the 2000 EuroLeague Final Four tournament. In those final four games, he posted averages of 13.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. This period established him as a key player within European professional circles.
The Sacramento Kings selected Hidayet Türkoğlu with the 16th pick during the 2000 NBA draft. He became the first Turkish-born player ever chosen for the league. Türkoğlu played alongside other European stars like Vlade Divac and Peja Stojaković. Following the 2001, 02 season, he received votes for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award. That year, he averaged 10.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while playing for the Kings.
Türkoğlu joined the Orlando Magic in 2004 after several years elsewhere. He scored a career-high 39 points twice during his tenure. One instance occurred in an April 2007 game against the Toronto Raptors. Another happened in a March 2008 game against the Washington Wizards. On the 28th of April 2008, officials named him the NBA's Most Improved Player for that season. The Magic won 52 games that year while he started all 82 regular-season contests. His averages reached career highs of 19.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game.
The Orlando Magic reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 1995 during the 2008, 09 season. Türkoğlu led the team with 18.0 points per game in those finals series. They lost in five games to the Los Angeles Lakers. Later, on the 13th of February 2013, he was suspended for 20 games by the league. This punishment followed a positive test for methenolone. Türkoğlu stated he received medicine containing the substance from a trainer in Turkey without knowing it was banned.
Türkoğlu played for the Turkish national team which won a silver medal at EuroBasket 2001. He averaged 15.5 points per game throughout that tournament. One year later, he participated in the 2010 FIBA World Championship held in his home country. The team finished with the silver medal after losing only to Team USA. During that championship, he averaged 12.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. He retired from international basketball in March 2014.
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Common questions
When did Hidayet Türkoğlu join the basketball club Efes Pilsen?
Hidayet Türkoğlu joined the basketball club Efes Pilsen in 1996. He played four seasons with this team before moving to North America.
What draft pick number selected Hidayet Türkoğlu during the 2000 NBA draft?
The Sacramento Kings selected Hidayet Türkoğlu with the 16th pick during the 2000 NBA draft. He became the first Turkish-born player ever chosen for the league.
On what date was Hidayet Türkoğlu named the NBA's Most Improved Player?
On the 28th of April 2008, officials named him the NBA's Most Improved Player for that season. The Magic won 52 games that year while he started all 82 regular-season contests.
How many games was Hidayet Türkoğlu suspended for after testing positive for methenolone?
Later, on the 13th of February 2013, he was suspended for 20 games by the league. This punishment followed a positive test for methenolone.
Which medal did Hidayet Türkoğlu win at EuroBasket 2001?
Hidayet Türkoğlu played for the Turkish national team which won a silver medal at EuroBasket 2001. He averaged 15.5 points per game throughout that tournament.