By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Turkish national team can count on the services of both Furkan Korkmaz and Ersan Ilyasova in its effort to make the Olympic Games for the first time in 70 years.
Korkmaz and Ilyasova will join their national team in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament of Victoria, Canada (29/6 to 4/7) where the “12 Giant Men” will compete for the ticket that will lead to Tokyo. “Ersan Ilyasova and Furkman Korkmaz will be included in our camp activities in Canada,” Turkey Team Manager Kerem Tunceri said in a statement, per the Turkish Basketball Federation.
Ilyasova last stepped on the floor in Game 3 of the Utah Jazz series against the Los Angeles Clippers and the season officially ended for him in June 18 after his team’s 2-4 elimination. Korkmaz, however, will have significantly less time to rest and recharge his batteries since he played Sunday (20/6) in the Philadelphia 76ers‘ Game 7 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
He’s coming off his most productive postseason contribution of his NBA run so far, with personal playoff-highs 7.0 points in 16.2 minutes.
Turkey will debut in the Qualifying Tournament against Uruguay in June 29 (early morning of June 30 in Turkey) and then face the Czech Republic two days afterward. Canada, China and Greece are competing in Group B of the tournament with the two top teams from each Group advancing to a knockout semifinal stage. The tournament winner will play in the Olympics.