By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
Cedi Osman became known in the European basketball world back in 2007, when he became a member of Anadolu Efes‘ junior teams. It was evident that a bright future was waiting for him, as he had the potential, the talent and the basketball insticts.
That was proven over the course of the last 12 dream months. The player who was born on the April of 1995 won two gold medal with the junior national team of Turkey at Eurobasket U18 in Latvia and the same scene was repeated this year in Crete at Eurobasket U20.
The only difference was that this time Kenan Sipahi wasn’t on his side and that he was named MVP of the tournament. And the really good news? The best is yet to come…
One of the best coaches in the history of European basketball – Dusan Ivkovic – is now sitting on the bench of Anadolu Efes, he is known for working and producing new young stars and Osman knows that he will have the chance to make the next big step in his career, if he gains Duda’s trust.
He is one of the high hopes of Turkish basketball, a kid who is 2,00 meters tall and can play in every position of the back court, a really celebral player who understands the game and its space.
“We are like a fist”
Eurohoops met the MVP of Eurobasket U20 in Crete and spoke to him about the recent Turkish success! “We are happy for what we achieved. It’s really big! For me and some other members of the team is the second gold medal in a row and that means something. In sports it’s important to stay one the top”, said Osman who speaks about the DNA of the European champions.
“We really love eachother. We are like a fist as a team, a family in the locker rooms. There’s real friendship and love. Those things are important and when you combine them with talent and hard work, you can have great results, like those we got”.
Osman is the leader of this team and if he continues to develop his game this way, then a great career is waiting him. As he says: “I still have to work hard. I know that the level in men’s competition will be different and higher. I should not chance the way I think and work every day. Basketball ball and every day effort is still my priority. I have a lot of things to work on my game and get better”.
The challenge of Duda
And this effort is not going to stop, not with Dusan Ivkovic coaching him in Anadolu Efes. Does Cedi knows what to expect from this great coach? Does he feel ready to respond to his challenges?
“I think that I understand what you mean (laughs)! I have heard many things about coach Ivkovic. I have understood that I need to stay focused on what he asks, not only in the games, or in practice, but in every moment. I believe that I am ready and mature enough in order to accept the challenge of working with him and gain many things from coach Ivkovic, like many other players did in the past on their way to a great career”.
What he believes for this year’s Efes and his role?
“For me personally, only time would tell. If I work hard and be who I should be, I will get my chances. My team has made many important transfers. We have great quality in our roster and I can’t wait for the season to start. We have the posibility of a great season. With Ivkovic on the bench and the players in our roster, everything should go really well”.
Turkey is coming!
Cedi is just 19 years old and he already has two gold medals in his collection. Can he explain, however, why Turkish clubs still don’t have the same kind of success? “There are many countries with great basketball tradition and many generations of great players. It’s not easy to be on the top. The competition in the top level is much higher and the details are very important. What I can say is that Turkey has everything now and success for the clubs is just a matter of time”.
So keep in your mind the name of Cedi Osman. If during Ivkovic’s tenure in Efes, Osman’s body responds (he is still gaining height and he has to work on conditioning) and he turns to be a pure point guard, then you will hear a lot from him in the next decade.