By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Erdem Can will be the first-ever Turkish coach to work on an NBA team by joining the Utah Jazz staff. The now former Fenerbahce Beko assistant has some pretty big goals as he approaches this next stage of his career, including winning an NBA championship title.
Here’s what Can said to Anadolu News Agency (via Hurriyet):
“I have always aimed for the highest point in my life. My goal is to become the best coach that is possible. To return to Europe as head coach with a stronger voice and to represent my country by winning many trophies. To be a coach who can improve himself in the NBA and reach the best possible place at the end of a certain period. Time will tell. I try to move forward in a planned and motivated way. The Utah Jazz is a team that aims to win a championship. My goal is to be on that team and win the championship. To be able to wear the ring. To bring this to my country. My goal is to represent my name and my country in the best possible way by achieving the greatest possible success in Europe or in the NBA”
Can hopes to become the second Turkish person to win an NBA ring after Mehmet Okur. In 2003-2004 and his sophomore season in the NBA, Okur helped the Detroit Pistons claim the third championship in the history of the club and first after the “Bad Boys” era.
Since 2012 until the previous season, Can worked with Fenerbahce as an assistant, being a member of the team during its rise to EuroLeague prominence. In 2017, Fener became the first Turkish club to win the EuroLeague.