By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Hedo Turkoglu was re-elected as president of the Turkish Basketball Federation on Tuesday.
He has served as TBF president since 2016 and was re-elected in 2021.
A regular convention was held in Ankara, focusing on the elections for TBF president.
The latest re-election was contested by candidate and fellow former player Efe Aydan. Out of 165 available votes, Turkoglu got 109 and Aydan had 29.
Turkoglu, 45, spent most of his playing days in the NBA. Lasting 15 years in the league based in North America, his career stretched from the Orlando Magic to the Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Clippers. A veteran of 1,095 appearances in the NBA, the most by any Turkish player.
Before moving his talents to the NBA, he emerged as a young star of Efes Pilsen, now called Anadolu Efes. From four years with the Istanbul outfit until the 2000 NBA draft, he was selected with the 16th overall pick by the Kings.
At the international level, representing Turkiye was highlighted by silver medals in the 2001 EuroBasket and the 2010 FIBA World Championship. Alongside MVP Kevin Durant, Luis Scola, Linas Kleiza, and Milos Teodosic, he was part of the All Star Five of the World Championship.
After leaving the courts in 2015, his post-playing career went from being appointed CEO of the TBF in 2015 to becoming a senior advisor to Turkiye president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, before focusing on duties as TBF president.