MILWAUKEE (NBA/EuroBasket 2015) - If Ersan Ilyasova can remain injury-free the rest of the 2014-15 NBA season, Turkey should expect to count on the services of one their most prolific scorers at EuroBasket 2015.

The 24-team tournament takes place from 5 to 20 September in four different countries - France, Latvia, Croatia and Germany.

The Milwaukee Bucks star has every intention of representing his country, especially after being forced to miss the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup because of a right ankle injury.

The 2.05m forward has played in the last four editions of EuroBasket dating back to 2007 and very much hopes to make it five in a row.

He expects a tough task for Turkey this summer after they were drawn in Group B alongside hosts Germany, Iceland, Spain, Serbia and Italy.

"It is always tough for us, especially playing against Germany in Germany," said the Eskisehir native, who contributed 12.2 points per game at EuroBasket 2013 in Slovenia.

"Hopefully this summer… I'll go, definitely.

"But I'll try to finish this season [with the Bucks] first."

Ilyasova, who made his senior debut at the 2006 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Japan, knows what it takes to make an impact in a national team competition.

"Playing these tournaments, it's about playing game by game. It [depends] how you start the tournament," he said.

Turkey will open their campaign at EuroBasket 2015 against Marco Belinelli's Italy in Berlin on 5 September.

"Hopefully this time we'll start well and finish well," said the 27-year-old, alluding to Turkey's disappointing campaign a couple of years ago, as they finished 17th in the 24-team event.

Since then significant changes have taken place for the Turks, with coach Ergin Ataman taking charge and leading the team to an impressive Quarter-Final run at Spain 2014. 

"It was tough [to watch the tournament from home], especially as we received a wild card. It was a big chance to participate in the World Cup," Ilyasova said of following his country's performances in FIBA's flagship event.

Ilyasova has been plagued by injuries the past couple of years. 

He appeared in only 55 games for the Bucks during the 2013-14 campaign and has already missed 19 contests in the first half of this season. 

He broke his nose when taking an inadvertant elbow to the face from Cleveland Cavaliers and Canada big man Tristan Thompson on 2 December and needed surgery.

On his return to action on 23 December against the Charlotte Hornets, he collided with teammate and Georgia international Zaza Pachulia and suffered a concussion.

Ilyasova returned to Milwaukee's line-up last Thursday in a 95-79 win over the New York Knicks in London and showed glimpses of being back to his old self on Monday with 15 points and seven rebounds off the bench in a 92-89 defeat against the Toronto Raptors.

Despite this most recent defeat, the Bucks (21-19) have been a surprise package, even after losing rookie standout Jabari Parker to a torn ACL in mid-December that sidelined him for the rest of the season. 

Ilyasova hopes to continue making an impact for the team that selected him in the second round of the 2005 NBA Draft.

"Right now, I am trying to focus on the NBA season," he said.

FIBA