The pill is still visibly difficult to pass for Turkey, beaten at home, in Istanbul, in the final of the Olympic pre-qualifying tournament by Croatia. Defeated 84-71 by the Croatians of Mario Hezonja and Dario Saric, the Turks are already eliminated from the race for Paris 2024, and are visibly looking for those responsible for this failure.
To clear his customs, the president of the Turkish federation, Hedo Turkoglu, castigated those absent, at the forefront of whom we find Cedi Osmanwhich the leader charged directly during his last press briefing.
“Cedi Osman had a meeting with us in the summer. He told us he didn’t want to play for the national team.”did he declare. “From that point on, we didn’t force him into the team. You should ask him why he didn’t play when he wasn’t suffering from any injury.”
Mental and physical fatigue
A media release which prompted the person concerned to respond immediately. Via social networks, he therefore published a text to clarify that the president of the Turkish federation had validated the choice of the former Cleveland winger to observe rest, and that the latter was not sanctioned. nor suspended, unlike Shane Larkin and Scottie Wilbekinfollowing this package.
“I would not like to bother you with a personal situation at a time when the world is being tested by more important questions and more painful situations. I am deeply saddened that the Turkish national team, whose uniform I have worn with pride throughout my life, has become a subject of controversy. This is why I think the truth must be told.
I have worn the national team uniform 178 times in all categories. Despite everything, I strived to do my best when I was given a task with the national team.
Over the past ten years, including the last six in the NBA, I have played basketball at the highest level. This year, I realized that the mental and physical fatigue brought on by the years had started to affect my health. On June 2, 2023, to avoid harming anyone, I met with the leaders of the federation before the announcement of the list of players and I requested to be exempted from the FIBA pre-Olympic qualifying tournament.
I told them I wanted to use this time to rest and get back into shape. The meeting in question also included the president of our federation, Hidayet Turkoglu, and the national team authorities. They welcomed my situation, approved of it, and even said they wanted to protect me from any negative reactions I might experience.
I have never rejected the national team uniform. For me, there is nothing more precious than the uniform with the star and the crescent. HOWEVER…
I will not let anyone discredit me in the public eye. I would like to state that I do not accept the accusations made against me and that I will continue to tell the truth.”
| Cedi Osman | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | KEY | 61 | 11 | 48.4 | 36.8 | 56.5 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 3.9 |
| 2018-19 | KEY | 76 | 32 | 42.7 | 34.8 | 77.9 | 0.6 | 4.1 | 4.7 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 13.0 |
| 2019-20 | KEY | 65 | 29 | 43.7 | 38.3 | 67.0 | 0.6 | 3.0 | 3.6 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 11.1 |
| 2020-21 | KEY | 59 | 26 | 37.4 | 30.6 | 80.0 | 0.6 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 10.4 |
| 2021-22 | KEY | 66 | 22 | 43.2 | 35.7 | 66.4 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 10.7 |
| 2022-23 | KEY | 77 | 20 | 45.1 | 37.2 | 69.4 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 8.7 |
| Total | 404 | 24 | 42.7 | 35.3 | 71.5 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 9.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
