By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Omer Yurtseven has been held to 14 minutes over four appearances with the Miami Heat early in the 2021-22 NBA Regular Season.
“I think this is where I want to be at ultimately,” the Turkish center recently told Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, “And I think that I’m adjusting to it and doing whatever is necessary to conquer this beast.”
Yurtseven, 23, had logged 11 games played in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague as a member of Fenerbahce before departing the Turkish powerhouse at 18 to spend the next four years in the NCAA. He joined the program of North Carolina State in 2016 and transferred to Georgetown in 2018. From there, as an undrafted rookie coming out of college signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder shifting to the G League and the Oklahoma City Blue.
The promising youngster capped at the senior and junior level with Turkey, moved on to the Heat after averaging 15.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.4 blocks per match in the 2020-21 G League season, held in a bubble at Bay Lake, Florida. He had 7.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per 2021 Preseason match paired with 20.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game in the Las Vegas Summer League to earn a spot on the 2021-22 starting roster at Miami.
Come the Regular Season, he has so far ended up in a limited role behind starting center Bam Adebayo and veteran Dewayne Dedmon. He has scored a total of ten NBA points, including eight points in his debut combined with the convincing win opposite the defending champions Milwaukee Bucks in the Regular Season opener.
With Erik Spoelstra’s rolling to a 5-1 start to the new season, major lineup or rotation changes are not expected, provided key players stay healthy. The Turkish big man can end up earning more playing time at the Sioux Falls Skyforce. However, he may benefit more without another G League assignment practicing with senior squad teammates among the perks.
Photo Credit: Getty Images