TUR – Turkoglu as proud as can be to represent his country

ISTANBUL (2010 FIBA World Championship) - There is no greater honor for Hedo Turkoglu than to don Turkey’s national team jersey.

Turkoglu, the country’s most famous player and the captain of Turkey at EuroBasket 2009, will lead the Turks when they host the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

“I can't really describe it, find the words to say,” he said, when asked what it felt like to play for Turkey.

“I can just say this (he points to the famous crescent moon and star that is on Turkey’s flag and also appears on his national team warm-up jacket) is really important in my life because I'm a guy who tries not to forget his past and how he got here.”

The “here” that Turkoglu speaks of is the elite level in the sport.

He is among the top players in the game, an NBA star who reached last season’s Finals with Orlando but then decided in the summer to head north to join the Toronto Raptors.

“I've had a great career in the NBA and have done a lot of great things,” he said.

“But before I went to the NBA, I became Hedo Turkoglu in Turkey by playing in the national team.

“The respect and love I get from those people, I will never forget.”

Indeed, Turkoglu will forever endear himself to the people of Turkey for the commitment he has shown to the national side.

“I am really enjoying it, wearing this (Turkey) jersey and being captain of this team and having the respect of all these people,” he said to FIBATV.com.

“All of these things are going to carry on in my life after basketball. The love and respect I get here is going to carry on after I stop playing.”

FIBA