Caglar providing the glue for Turkey’s transition

PRAGUE (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017) – If Turkey are to clinch a spot at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018 during a tournament when they are clearly in transition, then Bahar Caglar will be pivotal in Prague.

After posting some underwhelming preparation results, there have been a lot of much more positive noises since Turkey finished unbeaten in Hradec Kralove as Group B winners.

It’s no coincidence that their success was in part down to Caglar playing almost 28 minutes per game and demonstrating how she is a player transformed.

In danger of falling into a slumber during her lengthy career at Galatasaray, the versatile small forward opted to move across Istanbul last summer to Yakin Dogu Universitesi. It has been an absolute master-stroke, with Caglar looking a player revived – something Tukey are now reaping the rewards from.

"It was a very difficult decision for me to leave Galatasaray because I was there for many years," confirmed the player.

"But, I think the results and the trophies I have won with Yakin Dogu prove that I made the right choice and I was so happy with a great club season.

Visibly more energized, with the confidence flowing more freely than it has in recent memory, Caglar is also now adding leadership to her repertoire with Turkey.

A vital link between the experienced backcourt of Birsel Vardarli Demirmen and Isil Alben, as well as the power in the paint of Quanitra Hollingsworth, the forward is someone Turkey’s array of young guns are starting to look up to, more and more.

"This new generation are always learning more and more with each game, but this is the same for all players," mused Caglar.

“I like to help the team to develop as much as it can, especially during this important stage of the tournament and I think we have to make sure that as some players change, we keep the chemistry strong."

Mental toughness is also going to be a factor for Caglar and her colleagues as they try to block out the agonizing buzzer-beater against Spain, which denied them a Semi-Final berth in the Rio Olympics.

"I feel bad and get upset about it when I even hear any question about it," admitted Caglar.

With an apology quickly issued to her for poking at what clearly remains an open wound, a forced smile emerges on her face.

She added: "We want to recover mentally from what happened to us and the best way is to get the result we want in this Quarter-Final.

"At the very least we want to get to the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup next year."

Turkey play Greece in Thursday's Quarter-Finals.

FIBA