By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A conversation with Cedi Osman provides insight into being a teammate of Victor Wembanyama. In an interview on the Turkish YouTube show Socrates, he went from the French wunderkind to the breakout season of Alperen Sengun with the Houston Rockets and how he carries the weight of defeat to the United States and France.
“I always talk to my teammates, especially Victor. I was talking with him a lot. And he never said, ‘OK, I know exactly what I am doing’. He always listened. Sometimes he offered advice,” the 29-year-old forward described his relationship with Wemby.
Struggling to find effective ways to combine with Wembanyama, Osman and the remaining players of the San Antonio Spurs went through a complicated campaign in the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season. Ending up with a 22-60 record, they ranked 14th in the Western Conference and 26th overall.
“We did not know how to use Victor. The guy is so tall, he can catch the ball anywhere you throw it,” recalled Osman, “We started to understand after the All-Star Game.”
“He is labeled as an alien. He truly is. I can not understand how he moves like a much shorter player. The basics on his game are crazy,” he added on his Spurs teammate, “In some games, two or three players are on him. He just waits under the basket and they suddenly run away. I do not know when we have seen this before.”
LeBron James vs. Victor Wembanyama
Before landing in San Antonio last summer, Osman spent the first six years of his NBA career with the Cleveland Cavaliers. In his rookie campaign, he played alongside LeBron James in 2017-18.
“LeBron can also do what Victor can do, but not to that extent. He is completely different,” he compared the four-time NBA champion to the recently-named Rookie of the Year.
“He arrives for practice early. Before getting on the court, he goes to the gym, lifts weights, stretches, and warms up well. After practice, he is back in the gym. He is constantly working,” he continued on Wemby.
“He turns off his phone after nine in the evening so nobody can reach him or disturb him,” he also talked about his overall approach, “Basketball is different, but character and determination to work are also really impressive.”
“I feel lucky to play with him. Sharing the court with such a talented player,” mentioned Osman, “This kid will be the face of the NBA, for sure.”
Alperen Sengun and Turkiye
Projected to reunite with Sengun in international tournaments, Osman hopes for successful campaigns with Turkiye.
“He is currently the top player for Houston. That is huge,” he discussed the role of the 21-year-old center within the Houston Rockets, “There was this game against us. I was trash-talking. He scored 45 points against Wemby. I am very happy for him. I hope he continues like this for the rest of his career.”
“Alperen is not a selfish player. When you give him the ball inside, you know the ball will come out. He had so many triple-doubles. And some games were close,” he added.
Turkiye featured squads with Osman and Sengun in the 2023 FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Istanbul, the 2022 EuroBasket, and the 2020 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Victoria.
“That excites me,” Osman replied about joining forces with Sengun in the future, “We played together in the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments and the EuroBasket. However, much has changed about Alperen since. With Alperen, the national team can reach new heights.”
In a rewind, he talked about his experience with the senior national team of Turkiye, focusing on key games of the 2022 EuroBasket and 2019 FIBA World Cup.
“I will never forget the games against the United States and France. I can not describe how upset I was after those games,” he stressed.
“People think that I missed those shots and continued my life happily as if nothing happened. This disappoints me. After all, maybe we were going to defeat the United States for the first time. Maybe we would defeat France and win the EuroBasket,” said Osman, “I always give my 100% for the national team. I have my best memories with the national team. I wanted to get to the summer, to play for the national team.”
Working with Gregg Popovich
Moving his talents from Cleveland to San Antonio via trade last July, Osman was presented with the opportunity to play under the guidance of legendary head coach Gregg Popovich.
“I had met him and R.C. Buford before,” he revealed details about the Spurs checking in at Istanbul and Anadolu Efes to monitor his draft potential some years back, “Dusan Ivkovic [then head coach of Efes] welcomed Gregg Popovich in practice. He helped me a lot in that connection. I met them and had a chance to talk with them.”
In 2015, Osman was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves and immediately traded to the Cavaliers. Eight years forward, a trade to San Antonio set up a reunion with Popovich.
“We talked the night I was traded. He told me that he was very excited and happy to work with me,” mentioned the Turkish forward, “He said that I moved very well without the ball. He liked my game very much.”