ISTANBUL (FIBA EuroBasket 2017) - Furkan Korkmaz made a major career decision this season in moving to Banvit. And the young talent feels the experience with the Basketball Champions League finalists could help him lead Turkey to a medal at FIBA EuroBasket 2017.

Korkmaz was in the third season with Anadolu Efes' professional team but was unsatisfied with his playing time. He ended up moving to Banvit in December and the switch paid off as he became one of the leaders of the team.

The 19-year-old Korkmaz saw his minutes nearly double and he averaged 10.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals a game as Banvit finished fifth in the Turkish standings in the regular season. In the Basketball Champions League, the Bakirkoy native averaged similar numbers, his 10.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals helping Banvit reach the Final, where they lost to Iberostar Tenerife.

"Of course I was not really happy about leaving Anadolu Efes. That was like my home because I played there three years," Korkmaz said. "We thought all together it would be better to get more minutes. Right now I am really happy because I am on the court and the coach is giving me confidence and playing me a lot. My teammates trust me, I play in the crucial moments. It was a key point to move from Anadolu to Banvit."

Korkmaz's performances in the Basketball Champions League earned him the league’s Best Young Player award.

"I am really proud of winning that award,” the 6ft 8in (2.02m) guard said. "It made me feel good because you are young and you need success. I had some good games and some bad games but generally I tried to give my maximum in all the games. I think I did a good job."

The most important development for Korkmaz, he said, was being on the court in crunch time.

"I think I learned how to play at the end of games. At Efes, I was not playing in the last quarter - the crucial moments," Korkmaz said. "I learned to get some experience in the last quarter and how you have to play there at the end of the games. That was a big experience for me. It's a very different feeling playing during the game or playing at the end."

Korkmaz excelled at youth level, winning the title at the FIBA U18 European Championship 2014, finishing third at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2015 and taking second place at the FIBA U18 European Championship 2015. Now Korkmaz feels the experience from Banvit makes him better equipped to play a role for Turkey this summer at FIBA EuroBasket 2017.

"We have very good players. I think I had a good season with Banvit. It's also about the team philosophy. I cannot say how I will play but I will try to show myself and my game because my game is to create for my teammates and shoot the ball and run in the open court," said Korkmaz, who played a limited role for Turkey at FIBA EuroBasket 2015 and the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2016. "I don't know what role I will have, I just want to give my 100 percent to help the team."

Turkey will be hosting FIBA EuroBasket 2017 - both as one of the Group Phase co-hosts as well as Istanbul being home to the knockout stage. Turkey's last podium finish at a FIBA EuroBasket dates back to their second-place showing in 2001 - the last time Europe's top competition was played in Turkey. The Turks have only gotten to the FIBA EuroBasket Quarter-Finals once since then - in 2009.

Korkmaz hopes that changes this summer with Turkey being drawn into Group D with Belgium, Great Britain, Latvia, Russia and Serbia.

"I think I learned how to play at the end of games. At Efes, I was not playing in the last quarter - the crucial moments. I learned to get some experience in the last quarter and how you have to play there at the end of the games. That was a big experience for me. It's a very different feeling playing during the game or playing at the end."Furkan KorkmazFurkan Korkmaz

"Of course we feel pressure as players. Everybody feels pressure because we have to show something after many, many years. We need success and we have had strong teams. But we need to show it on the court. We need to give 110 percent, not 100 percent," Korkmaz said.

Regarding Turkey's expectations in their home continental championship, Korkmaz added: "First of all we want to get out from the group and win all the games. After that, why not get a medal? For now I don't want to say we want to play Semi-Final or Final. But we want to play for the medals for sure."

A Korkmaz with more experience could be a major help in Turkey finally getting back to the European podium.

FIBA