TUR - Atsur has surgery on Achilles injury

ISTANBUL (FIBA World Championship) - Engin Atsur has been ruled out of contention for the FIBA World Championship after the Achilles injury he suffered at the weekend required surgery.

Atsur was hurt in Turkey's win over New Zealand at the Istanbul Cup on Saturday.

He was diagnosed with a ruptured Achilles which will keep him out for the World Championship and far beyond, with a full recovery taking between three and four months.

"The operation went as planned," said Dr. Bagriacik Adnan. "He will be in a cast for about three weeks, and during this time he will need crutches. We will then put on a special device. It will be two to three months before he can start to run, and a return to basketball will take about three ot four months.

"We all agree that by four months he will be able to play again."

Atsur was a member of the Turkey squad that secured sixth place at the 2006 FIBA World Championship, despite the tournament taking place before he even turned pro as he was still at NC State in NCAA basketball at the time.

He now plays for Fenerbahce.

FIBA