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Following the matchup against the New York Knicks, Omer Yurtseven reflected on the stark tactical differences between European basketball and the NBA style of play. “To be honest, it was a much slower-paced game compared to here, absolutely,” Yurtseven noted during his postgame press conference, comparing his recent stint with Panathinaikos Aktor to the NBA environment.
Yurtseven specifically pointed to the three-second rule as the primary catalyst for the NBA’s offensive flow. “I mean the defensive three seconds opens up the paint in crazy ways, because the defender has to get out at some point,” he said. He further elaborated on how NBA spacing creates a chain reaction for offenses. “Maybe they got to clear out on the opposite side, trying to help, and you can hit the corner and then create an advantage,” Yurtseven observed.
Dalton Johnson: The Warriors have officially signed center Ömer Yurtseven to a 10-day contract, the team has announced @nbcswarriors.bsky.social Yurtseven will wear No. 77
Marc Stein: The Warriors are expected to sign Omer Yurtseven to a 10-day contract in the face of their growing injury crisis.
Jake Fischer: NBA veteran Omer Yurtseven has signed into G League, per source, and will join the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. The former Miami Heat and Utah Jazz 7-footer spent the past two seasons in Greece with Panathinaikos B.C.
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Panathinaikos Aktor Athens have decided to retain Omer Yurtseven and Kenneth Faried through the end of the current season, head coach Ergin Ataman confirmed on the eve of the Greek Derby against Olympiacos Piraeus.
Cedi Osman, Omer Yurtseven, Shane Larkin, Onuralp Bitim, Kenan Sipahi, Furkan Korkmaz, and Trevonte Williams all spoke to Meridian Sport searching for the answer to who they’d bring in to “defend” against Jokic’s brilliance. Cedi Osman: “You caught me off guard. Very tough question… Right now no one can guard him, that’s for sure. But maybe I’d pick Dikembe Mutombo.” He added that Jokic will always get his numbers, so the goal is only to make it harder for him. Trevonte Williams, after asking Shane Larkin for help: Larkin said, “Dwight Howard! But from his younger days—when he was at his peak.” Williams agreed: “Not a bad choice. Maybe Howard, maybe Shaquille O’Neal, maybe Mutombo? Honestly, I don’t even know if anyone could guard him at all. Best hope is he gets sick the day of the game—that’s the only defense.” Furkan Korkmaz: “Very tough question… Dennis Rodman! That would be a real battle between the two.” Omer Yurtseven (without hearing Korkmaz’s answer): “I’d look for someone smaller but strong, so I’d say Rodman. He could play aggressive, get in front of him… If they lob over him, he’s fast enough to recover. He could take rebounds too. His only job on the team would be guarding Jokic.” Onuralp Bitim: “Not sure… I’d probably pick Wilt Chamberlain.” Kenan Sipahi wrapped it up: “Who can guard Jokic? Honestly, no one. I’ve thought about it a lot. Maybe Arvydas Sabonis senior, but honestly, it’s hard to imagine anyone.”
Here are the 12 players who will represent Turkey at EuroBasket: Onuralp Bitim, Adem Bona, Sehmus Hazer, Furkan Korkmaz, Shane Larkin, Cedi Osman, Ercan Osmani, Sertac Sanli, Alperen Sengun, Kenan Sipahi, Erkan Yilmaz, Omer Yurtseven.
Panathinaikos has reportedly made a decision regarding the future of Omer Yurtseven, the Turkish center with NBA experience. According to SDNA, the club has decided not to activate the contract exit clause for the player — a clause that could have been exercised until July 30 — in a move reportedly driven by head coach Ergin Ataman’s will.
The Turkish Basketball Federation announced the preliminary roster of the national team for the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket. Houston Rockets All-Star center Alperen Sengun headlines a roster of 16 players. The list also includes Philadelphia 76ers forward/center Adem Bona who is expected to make his debut with the Turkish national team. EuroLeague superstar guard Shane Larkin will be the naturalized player of the “12 Giant Men” in his return to a major tournament after the 2022 EuroBasket. Turkey’s full preliminary roster: Adem Bona, Alperen Sengun, Berk Ugurlu, Cedi Osman, Ercan Osmani, Erkan Yilmaz, Furkan Korkmaz, Kenan Sipahi, Onuralp Bitim, Omer Yurtseven, Maxim Mutaf, Sertac Sanli, Shane Larkin, Sehmus Hazer, Yigit Arslan, Yigitcan Saybir.
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Osman, 29, joined Kostas Antetokounmpo, Lorenzo Brown, Jerian Grant, Marius Grigonis, Juancho Hernangomez, Panagiotis Kalaitzakis, Mathias Lessort, Konstantinos Mitoglou, Dimitris Moraitis, Kendrick Nunn, Ioannis Papapetrou, Kostas Sloukas, and Omer Yurtseven on the team coached by Ataman. “That is why I am here,” he replied about looking to help the Greens retain the EuroLeague championship, “We have a great team. They did an amazing job last year. But this year, I believe the league is even harder. A lot of great teams with a lot of great transfers. But, obviously, we are the best. We will go for the back-to-back.”
The only new information I have here is that, as of late last month, the Knicks were at the very least exploring the market for a veteran center. Earlier in the offseason, the Knicks had some interest in signing Bruno Fernando. Fernando signed a nonguaranteed deal with the Raptors in early August. As noted last month, the Knicks also made an offer to Omer Yurtseven earlier in free agency. Yurtseven didn’t give the offer strong consideration and last week agreed to terms with European club Panathinaikos.
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens officially added another player to their EuroLeague championship roster. The Greek club announced that Omer Yurtseven is joining the team on a 1+1 deal. "I feel particularly excited to now belong to the Panathinaikos family, the team I watched a few months ago win the Euroleague. It's a unique feeling," the player said following the signing.
Panathinaikos emerged victorious in both competitions last year. both winning the Greek League and especially coming back to European success by lifting their seventh EuroLeague title. However, Ergin Ataman’s team didn’t want to stop there and even strengthened its roster by adding Lorenzo Brown to an already stacked backcourt and Omer Yurtseven to form an elite frontcourt. Joining Mathias Lessort and Kostas Antetokounmpo, the Turkish center now signed the contract with PAO.
