ISTANBUL (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Hidayet 'Hedo' Turkoglu is bringing the curtain down on his long career with Turkey.

The 35-year-old Los Angeles Clippers forward, who has played with the senior national team since 1999, spoke to the Anadolu Agency on Monday night about his decision to call it quits with Turkey.

"It's time for me to move (on)," he said.

"It was a family decision.

"I have been playing for the Turkish national team for 16 years.

"I am thankful to all of my supporters."

Turkoglu will remember 2001 and 2010 as his most successful summers with the side.

He averaged 15.5 points per game at EuroBasket 2001 in Istanbul and led the host nation to a runners-up finish.

In a thrilling Semi-Final against Germany, Turkoglu dribbled the ball up the floor and drove into the lane before scoring the winning basket in the waning seconds.

He ended up with 23 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and three steals in that 79-78 victory.

Turkey fell to Yugoslavia in the title game, 78-69.

Nine years later, he averaged 12.3 points per game and was an all-tournament selection as the Turks finished second at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Istanbul.

The USA denied Turkoglu and Turkey a spot on the top of the podium with an 81-64 triumph.

Turkoglu also played at the two latest editions of EuroBasket, in 2011 and 2013.

Turkey, who only just appointed Ergin Ataman as coach, are in Group C at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

Their Preliminary Round opponents will be the USA, Finland, Ukraine, New Zealand and the Dominican Republic.

FIBA