Hedo Turkoglu
Hidayet “Hedo” Türkoğlu (born March 19, 1979 in Gaziosmanpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey) is a Turkish professional basketball player currently with the NBA’s Orlando Magic. Türkoğlu stands 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) tall inside and outside of the three-point line. He is a versatile player who has played four positions from point guard to power forward during his career. He now most often plays the small forward position. Hedo’s media nicknames include ‘Mr. Fourth Quarter’ and ‘The Michael Jordan of Turkey,’ both likely in reference to his frequent late-game clutch performances.
NBA career
Türkoğlu was selected with the 16th pick by the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the 2000 NBA Draft, from Efes Pilsen in Istanbul.
He was a finalist for the league’s Sixth Man of the Year Award in his sophomore season, after averaging 10.1 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per game, and 2.0 assists per game coming off the bench. His name also inspired a Burger King menu called Hido Menu in Turkey during the first years of his NBA career.
In 2003, Türkoğlu was traded to the San Antonio Spurs in a three-team trade that sent Brad Miller of the Indiana Pacers to the Kings while Indiana acquired Scot Pollard from the Kings and Danny Ferry from the Spurs; the Spurs also acquired Ron Mercer from the Pacers. He signed with the Orlando Magic when he became a free agent in 2004. He scored career-high 39 points on April 4, 2007 against the Toronto Raptors and on March 19, 2008, his 29th birthday in a loss to the Washington Wizards.
Türkoğlu has represented Turkey at all levels of international competition, but declined to play in the 2006 World Basketball Championship.
On April 28, 2008, Türkoğlu was given the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award for the 2007-2008 NBA Season. Türkoğlu helped the Orlando Magic win 52 games, and averaged career highs in points per game (19.5), rebounds per game (5.7) and assists per game (5.0), starting all 82 regular season games.
Career transactions
- June 28, 2000: Drafted 16th overall by Sacramento Kings in 2000 NBA Draft.
- July 24, 2003: Traded by Sacramento to San Antonio Spurs as part of three-team deal (San Antonio also acquired Ron Mercer from Indiana Pacers; Sacramento acquired Brad Miller; Indiana acquired Scot Pollard from Sacramento and Danny Ferry from San Antonio).
- July 14, 2004: Signed as a free agent by Orlando Magic.
Other Information
- Full name: Hidayet Turkoglu
- Born: March 19, 1979
- Birthplace: Istanbul, Turkey
- Height: 6’10″
- Weight: 220 lbs
- Position: Forward
- Draft year: 2000
Links
- NBA.com: Hedo Turkoglu
- Wikipedia: Hedo Turkoglu
- SportsPortal : Hedo Turkoglu
Incoming search terms:
- basketball turk Hido Hidayet Turkoglu
- turkoglu athlete of the year turkey