By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
After a stellar 2022/23 season with Bursa in EuroCup and the Turkish championship, Onuralp Bitim got his chance in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls organization.
After playing for the Bulls in the Summer League, he signed a two-way contract that was transformed into a standard contract last February, and Bitim is now living the dream.
“I mean, it’s an unbelievable feeling. Like I’ve said many times, this is my childhood dream. It feels really good to accomplish that dream. The clubs that I played for, I chose those clubs to come here,” Bitim said to SDNA.
The 24-year-old forward is now a regular part of the Bulls’ rotation, averaging 12.6 minutes in 18 appearances, scoring 3.9 points with 1.7 rebounds per game, but the beginning of his NBA career wasn’t easy.
“I am not going to lie, it wasn’t easy, it was hard. I started as a two-way player; I broke my nose and had the first surgery of my life. The beginning of the season was tough for me, but that’s who I am. I just don’t give up. I always follow my dreams. I was lucky to be in a very good organization with people who believe in me. Front-office-wise, coaching-wise, and especially my teammates. After I passed through those hard times, I started to feel much better, and it started to feel easier.”
Bitim revealed he had a chance to sign with Panathinaikos but decided to pursue his NBA dream.
“I had much better offers, money-wise or club-wise. I could play in the EuroLeague, but all my goals were to come here. We had discussions with Panathinaikos and Coach Ataman. I worked with him in Efes and in the national team. He is one of the best coaches in the whole of Europe, and Panathinaikos is one of the best clubs in European history. It is an honor for me that he and Panathinaikos wanted me. I don’t know the future, but right now, my focus is with the Chicago Bulls and the NBA,” Bitim said, stating that he sees Panathinaikos making it to the EuroLeague Final Four this year.