By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
The 2016 NBA Draft will soon begin at the Barclays Center arena in Brooklyn, New York. Some of the most talented prospects from around the globe, will find out which team is going to hold their rights in the best league in the world.
One of them is Turkish international Furkan Korkmaz. Only a few hours before NBA commissioner Adam Silver announces him next to the team that will pick him during the draft procedure, the 18-year old forward admitted to Eurohoops, that he can’t keep his mind away from this significantly crucial moment for his career.
“It is hard to take the draft out of my mind right now. I can’t be concentrated on anything else”, said Korkmaz, describing his feelings as “Mixed. I am a little bit nervous and a little bit excited. Both! I can’t wait.” While currently preparing with the Turkish national team ahead of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament of Manila, Korkmaz’s thoughts are dipped in the dream dust of the NBA draft.
Such thought diversion is only natural, of course. Can he take a guess on which team will pick him? “I haven’t got the slightest clue to be honest. I don’t know. The only thing I can hope is that happens will be for my best interest.”
Korkmaz was one of the players that received a special invitation to be in the “Green Room” during the Draft. But the obligations with Turkey NT keep him from actually being there and join fellow Europeans Dragan Bender, Jakob Poeltl, Timothe Luwawu and Domantas Sabonis”. “It was really big opportunity for me to be there. But right now I prepare with the national team. And the national team is more important. That’s why I stayed here in the camp”.
Turkey had just been defeated by Greece in a prep game in Athens. The young stud spent almost 14 minutes on court, albeit without scoring any points. “I told you that I can’t keep my concentration off the Draft. That’s what happened in the game. My mind wasn’t really on the floor.” Perhaps that’s another reason why he struggled in the match-up against Milwaukee Bucks and Greece NT star Giannis Antetokounmpo. “It is. But let’s face it, Giannis is an established NBA player. He is more experienced than me and he used this experience to punish me in 1 vs 1 situations, and not only.”
A good lesson to be learned then. And perhaps a preview of things to come in the NBA? “Of course! Next year? In a couple of years? Who knows. But we will play against each other again. It was a great chance for me to play against this kind of player like Giannis.”
Some days ago, Korkmaz stated that he wants to be in the NBA “right away”. No doubts linger inside him when it comes to his abilities. “Yes, that’s what I said and I stand by it. I know I need to cover some distance in order to do that, of course. I realize that it’s different to want to do something and actually doing it.”
This abundance of confidence is definitely an important element that characterizes the young player. But he is also aware of the fact that he needs a lot more in order to make his dream happen in the NBA and get some actual playing time. “Apart from being more able to score there are two things I must work on. First, and above all is my body and physique. Second… definitely my defense. I need to work on that a lot too. And then in a couple of months I will be ready to play in the NBA.”
When asked about what kind of advice does he receive from his more experienced teammates in the national team, a smile was drawn in Korkmaz’s face. “I will watch the Draft with all my teammates in the national team, you know. Everybody supports me so much and they advise me about everything. I am getting a bit emotional sometimes with the Draft, but they support me, and they say the best about me. They try to help me remain positive.”