Turkey - Tanjevic will coach Turkey at FIBA 2010 World Championship
Turkish national basketball team coach Bogdan Tanjevic said Wednesday he would be in charge of the team during the FIBA 2010 World Championship in Turkey, putting an end to months-long speculation. Tanjevic has been recovering from colon cancer and said he would need 15 more days before returning. “I will get better in two weeks’ time and will take over the team then,” said Tanjevic during a press conference in Istanbul.
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Turkish national basketball team coach Bogdan Tanjevic said Wednesday he would be in charge of the team during the FIBA 2010 World Championship in Turkey, putting an end to months-long speculation.
Tanjevic has been recovering from colon cancer and said he would need 15 more days before returning.
“I will get better in two weeks’ time and will take over the team then,” said Tanjevic during a press conference in Istanbul.
He also announced the preliminary squad for the upcoming event. “We have set up our plans for the team’s preparations together with my assistants Orhun [Ene] and Nihat [I.ziç],” said Tanjevic. “My absence will not create any problems. I am very motivated. We are all very motivated, and we’ll do everything to carry Turkey to success on home soil.”
Tanjevic said Rolando Blackman, a former NBA player, would join the coaching staff in August.
“Blackman has gained coaching experience during his spell at the Dallas Mavericks and is a very positive and helpful man,” said the coach. “He will have an extra contribution to us and will especially help players on their behaviors. He will teach them that star players should be humble.”
Turkey will be competing in Group C along with Greece, Russia, Puerto Rico, China and the Ivory Coast. The group brings together teams at similar levels with the host country taking on the Ivory Coast in its first game on Aug. 28.
Tanjevic said Turkey would fight to win a place in at least the semifinals. “It will not be easy, we will play some very tough games starting with the group matches. We will have to do our best to advance as the group leader.”
Tanjevic said Turkey’s biggest advantages would be the players’ motivation and the support of Turkish fans.
“In my six years of experience in Turkey, I have noticed that the Turkish people very much love and respect their flag,” he said. “I also have a deep love and respect for this flag, and I will do my best to help it be waved very high.”
The Montenegrin coach said he once again felt the hospitality of Turks is his struggle against cancer. “I want to thank everybody for their support,” said Tanjevic. “This support will be a great source of motivation to do the very best at the world championship.”
Tanjevic also announced the preliminary squad for the tournament, which will have a 45-day preparation period. The squad does not include Utah Jazz center Mehmet Okur, who is out with an Achilles tendon injury. Two other Turkish NBA players, Ersan I.lyasova of the Milwaukee Bucks and Hidayet Türkog(lu of the Toronto Raptors, will be competing for the Turkish national team. Other players in the squad include Og(uz Savas,, Semih Erden, Ömer Onan, Ömer As,?k (Fenerbahçe), Ender Aslan, Kerem Gönlüm, Kerem Tunçeri, Sinan Güler (Efes Pilsen), Engin Atsür, Cevher Özer (Bes,iktas, Cola Turka), Cenk Akyol (Air Avellino), Fatih Solak (Galatasaray Cafe Crown) and Evren Büker (Medical Park Trabzonspor).