TUR - Ilyasova, Kutluay questionable for Turkey

SAITAMA (FIBA World Championship) - Ersan Ilyasova and Ibrahim Kutluay both missed Friday's training session for Turkey and are questionable for the team's Round of 16 showdown with Slovenia at the 2006 FIBA World Championship.

Turkey coach Bogdan Tanjevic said Ilyasova went to local hospital for an MRI on Friday after feeling pain in his calf muscle during warmups for Turkey's 76-69 loss to Greece, in which Ilyasova didn't play.

"We will see what the doctors say," Tanjevic said.

The 19-year-old Ilyasova has been one of Turkey biggest weapons, averaging 10 points in the team's four Group C victories.

Tanjevic may be without his veteran shooting guard Kutluay as well, as the 32-year-old twisted his left ankle in Turkey's win against Brazil. Kutluay didn't play against Qatar and he struggled against Greece, scoring six points on 2-of-8 shooting in 26 minutes.

"It's not that bad," said Kutluay, who didn't take part in Turkey's practice but did weight training. "Tomorrow I would have to force myself. But we really want to win this game."

Kutluay said he could run without pain, but he said the ankle still hurts with lateral movement.

"He's the type of player who can play through pain. I'm sure he's going to play. He has a big heart," Serkan Erdogan said about Kutluay. "If he doesn't somebody else will take over for him."

Erdogan will likely need to step up his efforts in Kutluay's absence. But 27-year-old himself has been labouring with a knee problem, as Tanjevic said.

By David Hein, FIBA