ISTANBUL - Omer Ugurata has a very good understanding of national team programs and the commitments that players make to represent their countries.

He has worked with Turkey's youth teams, and the senior national side. Ugurata was an assistant coach on the Turkey team that reached the Quarter-Finals of the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Ugurata (fourth from left) served as an assistant on Ergin Ataman's coaching staff at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup

He also understands how much time and energy players pour into their club jobs. Ugurata is currently an assistant coach with Darussafaka Dogus, a team in Turkey's top league and the Euroleague.

When the subject is FIBA's new system of competition, he has some opinions. Over a four-year cycle from 2017 through 2021, national teams will play regular home and away games to qualify for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2021 FIBA Continental Cups.

One aspect to the change is that players will leave their clubs during the season to join up with their national teams and to play games. It will cut back on their time commitment each summer to national team training camps.

"For the players, I believe this system is better. They are already in shape during the season. They are playing games. The coaches can get whichever kind of player that they want at that time. It's also better for the players to have some vacations, to rest in the summer, to have some therapy, or improvement in individual or physical skills. - Ugurata

Ugurata says that fans will benefit, too. He expects there to be more at games when they are playing during the campaign.

"During the seasons, there will be more spectators for sure," Ugurata said. "The gyms will be full. The leagues will have a break. I really believe this is better for the spectators and the players."

FIBA