Hedo Türkoğlu
From Hoopedia
| |
| No. 15 - Orlando Magic | |
|---|---|
| Small Forward | |
| Personal Information | |
| Date of Birth: | March 19, 1979 |
| Place of Birth: | Istanbul, Turkey |
| }Nationality: |  Turkish
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| Listed Height: | 6 ft 10 |
| Listed Weight: | 220 lbs |
| Career Information | |
| NBA Draft: | 2000; Round 1 / Pick 16 |
| Selected by the Sacramento Kings | |
| Pro career: | 1996-present |
| League: | NBA |
| Career History | |
| Efes Pilsen (1996–2000) Sacramento Kings (2000–2003) San Antonio Spurs (2003–2004) Orlando Magic (2004–2009) Toronto Raptors (2009-2010) Phoenix Suns (2010) | |
| Career History | |
| N/A | |
| Info Page | |
Hidayet "Hedo" Türkoğlu (pronounced HEE-doh TURK-oh-lue; 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. 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.
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Early Life
Born on March 19, 1979, in Gaziosmanpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey, Türkoğlu started playing basketball at the age of ten. Growing up, his favorite players included Kobe Bryant, Grant Hill, Scottie Pippen, Allan Houston, and Latrell Sprewell.
Career
European Career
Türkoğlu averaged 8.3 ppg (.569 FG%, .409 3pt%, .725 FT%), 3.9 rpg, and 1.6 apg in 87 games in four Turkish Professional League seasons (1996-97 — 1999-00) with Efes Pilsen S.K., which is located in Istanbul. He also averaged 8.4 ppg (.579 FG%, .310 3pt%, .621 FT%), 3.5 rpg, and 1.7 apg in 50 EuroLeague Tournament games with Efes Pilsen during those four seasons. In addition, he helped lead Efes Pilsen to the 2000 EuroLeague Final Four, averaging 13.6 ppg (.626 FG%, .333 3pt%, .628 FT%), 4.6 rpg, and 2.7 apg in 22 tournament games.
NBA Career
Türkoğlu was selected with the 16th pick by the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the 2000 NBA Draft.
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. Türkoğlu 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 ha s 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.
On July 9, 2009, Orlando traded Türkoğlu to the Toronto Raptors for cash considerations and acquired cash considerations from the Dallas Mavericks as part of a four-team deal.
Hedo and his wife Banu are the parents of a daughter named Ela (born February 26, 2009).
