During a news conference when he answered questions from reporters, Hidayet Turkoglu was questioned on Cedi Osman, who had not participated in Turkiye’s disappointing Olympic Pre-Qualifiers campaign due to his absence from the national squad this summer.
“Cedi Osman had a meeting with us in Summer. The process was a bit more different [than that of Shane Larkin and Scottie Wilbekin].”
“He (Osman) told us that he did not want to play in the national team.”
Turkoglu continued.
“After that point on, we wouldn’t forcibly bring him to the team,” the former Turkish player said. “You should ask him why he didn’t play, although he didn’t have any injuries.”
Cedi Osman instantly replied to the Turkish Basketball Federation’s comments by posting a message on his social media sites.
The new player for the San Antonio Spurs responded to Turkoglu and the federation, accusing them of undermining him in the eyes of Turkish basketball fans.
Osman insists that after playing for the national team for so long, he deserved the vacation. Additionally, he claims that Turkoglu and the federation supported his absence but are now reversing course.
In any event, unlike in the situations of Larkin and Wilbekin, the federation has not declared any disciplinary measures in response to Osman’s absence. Furthermore, Osman hasn’t made it apparent that he wants to stop playing for the Turkish national team.
I wouldn’t have liked to bother you with a personal situation at a time when the world is being tested by more important issues and painful situations [referring to the Israel-Palestine conflict in the Middle East]. I am deeply saddened that the Turkish National Team, the uniform of which I have worn proudly throughout my life, has become the subject of controversy. This is why I think the truth must be told.
I have worn the national team uniform in all categories 178 times. Despite every occurrence, I sought to do my best when I was given national team duty.
In the last 10 years, the last 6 being in the NBA, I have been playing basketball at the highest level. This year, I realized that the mental and physical tiredness brought about by the years has started to affect my health. On 2 June 2023, to not aggrieve anyone, I got together with the authorities of the federation before the roster was announced, and I asked to be excused from the FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament [in Istanbul].
I told them that I wanted to use this time to get some rest and get rehabilitated. The meeting in question also included our federation president, Hidayet Turkoglu, and national team authorities. They had a positive reception to my situation, approved it, and even said that they wanted to protect me against any backlash that I might face.
I never rejected the national team uniform.
For me, there is nothing more valuable than the uniform with the star and crescent.
HOWEVER…
I will not let anyone discredit me to the public. I would like to state that I don’t accept the charges leveled against me and that I will continue to tell the truth.
Sincerely,
CEDI OSMAN
Via Basketnews,
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