By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Despite being limited to two brief appearances in the NBA and instead focusing on the G League, Onuralp Bitim was upgraded on the roster of the Chicago Bulls.
The Bulls converted his two-way contract to a standard multiyear contract, as reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic on Friday.
An open slot on the 15-man roster made the promotion possible for the Turkish swingman in his rookie campaign. Besides lasting six minutes in two games played in the NBA, Bitim tallied 14.2 points behind 41.5% from the field with the Windy City Bulls in the G League. Over 22 appearances with the affiliate team, he added 3.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.5 blocks per contest.
Before inking a two-way contract with the Bulls in July, developing his talents and making noise as a promising youngster in Turkiye stretched from the domestic league to all major club continental competitions, from the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague to the Basketball Champions League, 7DAYS EuroCup, and FIBA Europe Cup. Spells at Anadolu Efes, Pinar Karsiyaka, and Frutti Extra Bursaspor generated continental action.
Bitim collected more experience through the junior national teams of Turkiye. His efforts drew up a bronze medal and made the All-Tournament Team of the 2015 FIBA U16 European Championship to capturing a silver medal in the 2016 FIBA U17 World Championship. Additional caps went from the 2014 U16 European Championship to the 2018 and 2019 installments of the FIBA U20 European Championship.
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