ISTANBUL (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Some of Omer Asik's fondest memories on the basketball court are those when he wore the Turkey national team jersey.

It's not surprising, therefore, that the giant rim protector has been one of Turkey's biggest fans in the World Cup Qualifiers.

Asik has always been a tower of power on defense for Turkey

Asik, who shot to prominence in international basketball at FIBA EuroBasket 2009 and one year later played a significant role for Turkey when they hosted the FIBA Basketball World Cup and reached the Final, has been paying close attention to the 12 Giant Men and their performances on the Road to China 2019.

Under coach Ufuk Sarica, Turkey began First Round action in Group B in November with a home triumph over Latvia and a road win at Ukraine. In February, however, the team suffered defeats at Sweden and Latvia.

"THE LAST TWO GAMES ARE GOING TO BE REAL BATTLES, BUT I'M SURE THAT MY COUNTRYMEN ARE GOING TO QUALIFY FOR THE NEXT ROUND."Asik

 "The competition is very intense in the group to get to the first three spots and Turkey started well. Winning in Ukraine is tough, and the guys did it. But those last two games lost were a bit hurtful. I stay confident though, and I am sure that the guys are going to bounce back and win the last two games at home."

Turkey host Ukraine on June 28 and then Sweden on July 1. Both games will be played in Ankara.

"It’s probably the most balanced group of the European Qualifiers as every team can win against each other," he said. "The last two games are going to be real battles, but I'm sure that my countrymen are going to qualify for the next round."

Asik says home-court advantage is always very important for Turkey

Asik's 2016-17 season with the New Orleans Pelicans was cut short after he contracted Crohn's disease and he missed FIBA EuroBasket 2017 as a consequence.

After he returned to action this season, the 7-foot center (2.13m)  was not "feeling 100 percent". He was sent back to his former team, the Chicago Bulls, in a trade on February 1, one that had Nikola Mirotic moving to the Pelicans.

“I ALWAYS LOVE TO REPRESENT MY COUNTRY AND I WOULD LOVE TO WEAR THE TURKISH NATIONAL TEAM JERSEY AGAIN, SOON. I STILL HAVE A LOT OF YEARS LEFT TO PLAY FOR THE NATIONAL TEAM.”Asik

The 31-year-old is looking forward to the day when he plays for Turkey again.

"I have to get back to my best shape and solve my health issues," he said. "(But) I always love to represent my country and I would love to wear the Turkish national team jersey again, soon. I still have a lot of years left to play for the national team and I want to help the guys keep growing and building a competitive team."

At the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain in 2014, Asik was the main reason why Turkey gave the United States arguably their toughest game in the tournament. The team needed him to stand tall and he did, swatting 3 shots while corralling 8 rebounds and scoring 6 points. In two hugely important games that followed, Asik led the team to victories. He had 16 points and 20 rebounds in a 64-58 triumph over Ukraine and then 22 points and 8 rebounds in a 77-73 overtime triumph against Finland.

"It's very important to me and I love to represent my country," he said. "I feel proud every time I wear the Turkish  jersey. It’s different to the feeling you have when you play for your team during the season. When you play for your country, it’s more than just yourself and your teammates. You play for the entire nation, for every Turkish person, all of them. You play with your heart, you give your best to help the team, for the country to be successful and competitive at the highest level."

Whether they have him or not in the games coming up against Ukraine and Sweden, Asik is confident things will go well for the team. It helps, he says, that they will be at home.

"IT’S SO SPECIAL TO PLAY AT HOME, YOU HAVE THE ENTIRE COUNTRY BEHIND YOUR TEAM AND YOU FEEL THAT YOU HAVE MORE ENERGY. IT IS SO AMAZING, VERY SPECIAL TO WEAR THE NATIONAL TEAM JERSEY AND PLAY HOME.”Asik

"Yes, that is a very positive factor because everybody knows how hard is it to beat us at home," he said. "The fans are going to create an incredible atmosphere and a very noisy crowd, so it’s good for us. It gives you more energy to play in front of our fans, and we have to win those two games.

"It’s so special to play at home, you have the entire country behind your team and you feel that you have more energy. It is so amazing, very special to wear the national team jersey and play home.

"Those two last games of the First Round are extremely important because we have to qualify for the next round and fight for a spot for the FIBA World Cup 2019. Ukraine and Sweden are competitive teams, they have some great players, but we have to win no matter what."

FIBA