Hidayet Türkoğlu elected to lead Turkish Basketball Federation

ANKARA

Hidayet Türkoğlu, a former NBA player and a current advisor to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has been elected as the new president of the Turkish Basketball Federation (TBF).

The sole candidate Türkoğlu received all of the 113 valid votes cast at the regular convention held in Ankara on Oct. 26.

“Our aim is to take our basketball to a better spot,” the former Turkish international said after the vote, also thanking outgoing president Harun Erdenya for his work.

Türkoğlu, known as “Hedo,” began his career with Turkish giant Efes Pilsen, now Anadolu Efes, in 1996 before crossing the Atlantic to play in the NBA. 

During 15 years in North America, he played for the Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers.      

He also played for the Turkish national team, winning silver medals at the 2001 European Championship and the 2010 FIBA World Championship.      

He became the chief executive officer of the Turkish Basketball Federation after retiring from professional basketball in November 2015, and was appointed as a senior adviser to President Erdoğan last March.