By Bugra Uzar/ Buzar@eurohoops.net
The Turkish national team had its meeting with the press today and Omer Yurtseven was one of the main topics of discussion.
While the team expects to have Cedi Osman, Furkan Korkmaz, Ersan Ilyasova and naturalized guard Scottie Wilbekin in the upcoming FIBA World Cup games in September, Yurtseven who transferred to Georgetown and will be redshirted, missing the whole NCAA season, didn’t respond to the national team call.
Omer Onan, the CEO of the Turkish federation, stated on the matter: “We sent the call to Omer Faruk Yurtseven. But he did not respond. We feel sorry because we served the NT for years as players. He should remember this: He must care for the country he was born and grew up. He should take Cedi, Furkan and federation president Hedo Turkoglu as examples.”
Onan explained that Yursteven simply didn’t communicate with the federation: “We told him to come here for the opening day. If there was an issue with his university, he would go back in the shortest notice. We do not force anyone to play in the national team if the conditions are challenging or disruptive. We sent him his ticket. We called him and he didn’t come. It’s now a matter of the federation’s disciplinary committee. He might get punished. But more importantly, he should know this: Players grow up with their national teams. Hedo, Ginobili, the Gasol Brothers… They all played in their national teams with pride despite being star players in the NBA. It’s a beautiful sentiment to play for your country and a matter of pride. It’s not late for him to come. If I were him I would take a plane tomorrow and be here.”
TBF president Hedo Turkoglu said to Eurohoops for the matter: “Our door is open to anyone. Omer Faruk is a valuable player. If he did not come, there should be an explanation. We are going to wait and listen to his side.”