ISTANBUL (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - The Trophy Tour will have quite an impressive backdrop this weekend (14-15 June), having set up camp at Istanbul's Suadiye Beach, one of the most attractive urban meeting and leisure points of the city with a remarkable view of the Prince Islands.

As always, fans and passers-by will get the chance to have their picture taken with the Naismith Trophy as well as spend time with leading figures from the men's and women's national teams, including Dogus Balbay, Birkan Batuk and Nevriye Yilmaz, who will be involved in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women.

Bascat and Miau, the fun-loving basketball enthusiast mascots of the TBF and hosts of Turkey 2014, will also be on hand to play games, give away prizes and take pictures with the next generation of Turkish basketball players.

"The event hosted by the Turkish Basketball Federation (TBF) will draw the Istanbulites, mainly families with kids, to a weekend-long basketball fest. This will be the weekend during which Turkish basketball fans will be able to get so close to the one and only Naismith Cup just 77 days before the start of Spain 2014," said Tugan Gokce Ogun, Marketing and Communications Director of the TBF.

The Crazy Dunkers and their breathtaking slam dunking shows, as well as the Efes Girls with their bustling choreographies, will provide great entertainment for fans of all ages.

The ultimate fan experience will be complete thanks to the Road Show 2014 articulated full-size truck (with its travelling exhibit that features unique pieces of history as well as fun games and activities) and Trophy Tour courts where participants can show off their skills and take part in contests for a chance to win great Spain 2014 prizes.

On Thursday, the Naismith Trophy appeared on NTV and the media attention will continue throughout the weekend, with the Trophy Tour Stop broadcast live by TBF TV. Interviews and live coverage will also be provided by the country's leading national TV and radio stations.

FIBA