If you were watching the EuroBasket 2025 final in Riga a few months back, you probably felt that familiar pit in your stomach. Turkey was leading Germany for about 38 minutes. They looked dominant. Alperen Sengun was doing Alperen Sengun things in the paint, and the "12 Giant Men" (12 Dev Adam) seemed destined to finally grab that elusive gold. Then, the wheels kinda fell off. Germany’s experience kicked in, a few shots rattled out, and just like that, another silver medal was added to the trophy cabinet.
Honestly, the Turkish basketball national team is the most "so close yet so far" squad in European history.
It's been a wild ride since 2001. We’ve seen the legendary Hedo Turkoglu era, the heartbreak of the 2010 World Cup final against Kevin Durant’s USA, and a decade of mediocre results that made fans wonder if the magic was gone. But right now, in early 2026, the vibe is different. There's a genuine sense that this group, led by a fiery Ergin Ataman, is actually building something sustainable rather than just catching lightning in a bottle as a host nation.
Why the 2025 Silver Medal Actually Matters
For years, critics said Turkey could only win when they played in Istanbul. They pointed to the 2001 EuroBasket silver and the 2010 World Cup silver—both on home soil. Skeptics called them "home court heroes."
The 2025 run changed that narrative.
👉 See also: LeBron James and Kobe Bryant: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
They went into enemy territory and dismantled teams. That semi-final against Greece? A 94-68 blowout. Ercan Osmani turned into a flamethrower from deep, hitting six triples. It wasn't just luck. It was a tactical masterclass by Ataman. Even though they lost the final 83-88 to Germany, the silver medal they brought back to Istanbul felt heavier than the others. It was proof that the Turkish basketball national team could handle the pressure of a major tournament without the roar of 15,000 fans at the Sinan Erdem Dome.
The Alperen Sengun Factor
You can't talk about this team without talking about the "Turkish Delight" himself. Alperen Sengun has completely re-written how Turkey plays. In the old days, the national team relied on gritty defense and tough guards like Kerem Tunceri or Ibrahim Kutluay. Now, everything flows through the Houston Rockets center.
During the last major cycle, Sengun averaged a massive double-double: 21.6 points and 10.1 rebounds.
But it’s his passing that kills opponents. He’s essentially a 6’11” point guard. When the defense collapses on him, he finds Cedi Osman or Furkan Korkmaz on the wing. If they don't collapse, he uses those weird, unorthodox pivot moves to score. He's young, he's confident, and he's the undisputed face of this generation.
✨ Don't miss: Lawrence County High School Football: Why Friday Nights in Louisa Still Hit Different
The Current 2026 Roster: Who’s Carrying the Torch?
Right now, the team is gearing up for the 2027 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers. If you’re looking at the depth chart, it's actually pretty scary for the rest of Europe.
- The NBA Core: Alperen Sengun is the anchor. Cedi Osman remains the captain and the emotional heartbeat of the locker room. Furkan Korkmaz is still that "streaky but deadly" shooter who can drop 20 in a quarter.
- The Naturalized Spark: Shane Larkin. Look, there’s always a debate about naturalized players, but Larkin’s commitment to the crescent and star is undeniable. His ability to create his own shot in the final two minutes of a game is something Turkey lacked for a decade.
- The Next Wave: Adem Bona is a defensive monster. He provides the rim protection that allows Sengun to focus on offense. Then you've got Onuralp Bitim and Sehmus Hazer, guys who play with a chip on their shoulder and aren't afraid of anybody.
Ergin Ataman is still pulling the strings. The man is a winner. He’s won EuroLeague titles with Anadolu Efes and Panathinaikos, and he brings that "I’m the best in the world" energy to the national team. Sometimes he gets technical fouls at the worst times, and yeah, he talks a lot of trash in press conferences, but his players would run through a brick wall for him.
What Most People Get Wrong About Turkish Basketball
People often think the national team is inconsistent because of a lack of talent. That’s totally wrong. The talent has always been there. The issue has usually been "ego management" and the transition between generations.
For a few years after Hedo and Mehmet Okur retired, the team felt like a collection of individuals.
🔗 Read more: LA Rams Home Game Schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
Under Ataman, that's changed. You see it in the way they celebrate on the bench. You see it in the defensive rotations. They've embraced the "12 Giant Men" identity again. It's not just a marketing slogan anymore; it's a style of play that relies on being bigger, stronger, and more aggressive than the opponent.
Upcoming Schedule and Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to catch the Turkish basketball national team in action, the next few months are huge. They have a massive double-header against Serbia coming up in February and March 2026. These aren't just "friendlies"—these are the games that decide who gets a favorable seed for the World Cup.
How to follow the team effectively:
- Watch the Qualifiers: The game on February 27, 2026, against Serbia is a must-watch. It’s going to be a battle of the bigs.
- Monitor the "New Blood": Keep an eye on Ercan Osmani’s shooting percentages. If he continues to shoot over 40% from three, Turkey becomes almost impossible to guard because you can't double-team Sengun.
- Check the Ataman Factor: Ataman has recently hinted he might leave Panathinaikos if they don't win the Greek league this year. If he becomes a "full-time" national team coach, expect Turkey's preparation levels to go through the roof.
Basically, Turkey is no longer a "sleeping giant." They’re awake, they’ve got one of the best centers in the world, and they’re tired of silver medals. Whether they can finally grab the gold depends on staying healthy and finding a way to close out those final two minutes against the elite squads like Germany, France, or the USA.
The next step for any serious fan is to track the EuroLeague performance of the domestic core—guys like Sertac Sanli and Kenan Sipahi—as their form usually dictates how well the national team gels during the short international windows. Keep a close eye on the February 2026 FIBA window results to see if the momentum from the EuroBasket silver is still holding strong.