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Mirsad TurkanBasketball player
Date of Birth: 07.06.1976
Country:  Turkey |
Content:
- Early Life and Career
- NBA Draft and Debut
- Return to Europe and European Success
- International Career
- Retirement and Legacy
- Personal Life
- Achievements
- Turkish Cup: 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2009/2010, 2010/2011
Early Life and Career
Mirza Teletović, born as Mirza Jahović in Novi Pazar, Yugoslavia, was a Turkish professional basketball player. At a young age, Jahović was invited by Efes Pilsen coaches to Turkey, where he changed his name to Mirza Turkan. He began his professional career with Efes Pilsen.
NBA Draft and Debut
In 1998, Turkan was drafted into the NBA by the Houston Rockets. His draft rights were later traded to the Philadelphia 76ers and eventually to the New York Knicks. In the 1999/2000 season, Turkan became the first Turkish player to play in the NBA, appearing in 17 games for the Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks.
Return to Europe and European Success
Turkan returned to Europe in 2000, playing for Racing Paris, CSKA Moscow, Dynamo Moscow, Montepaschi Siena, Ülker, and Fenerbahçe Ülker. He reached the EuroLeague Final Four twice, in 2003 and 2004.
International Career
Turkan represented Turkey's national basketball team at the European Championships in 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, and 2005, as well as the World Championship in 2002. He played 174 games for the national team.
Retirement and Legacy
Turkan retired from basketball in September 2012. Fenerbahçe Ülker retired his number 6 in recognition of his contributions.
Personal Life
Turkan's sister, Emina Jahović, is a pop singer known in Turkey as Emina Sandal. He married Dina Djanković, Miss Serbia and Montenegro 2005, in 2005. They had three children together.
Achievements
Korac Cup: 1995/1996Turkish Championship: 1993/1994, 1995/1996, 1996/1997, 2005/2006, 2006/2007, 2007/2008, 2009/2010, 2010/2011
Turkish Cup: 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2009/2010, 2010/2011
Turkish Super Cup: 1993, 1996, 1998, 2006/2007Russian Championship: 2004
EuroBasket Silver Medal: 2001
EuroLeague Regular Season MVP: 2001/2002
EuroLeague Playoffs MVP: 2002/2003
