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Dirk Nowitzki paid tribute to former rival Hidayet Turkoglu after the pair were honoured at the 2026 Hall of Fame ceremony in Berlin.
The two former NBA stars, whose rivalry dates back to their teenage years in European competition, were recognised together at the event organised by FIBA. Speaking after the ceremony at Kraftwerk Berlin, Nowitzki reflected on their long history on opposite sides of the court.
“He was a great player, very versatile and always a tough matchup,” Nowitzki said.
Nowitzki described Turkoglu as a "magnificent" player who was incredibly difficult to play against because he could do everything on the court.
"I have known him since we were young," Nowitzki said. "Hidayet was a great player. He was very funny and always joking, but on the court, he was a serious threat. He was a great shooter and could play many positions."
Nowitzki specifically mentioned the 2001 European Championship in Istanbul. In that game, Turkoglu hit a famous shot to send the game into overtime, where Türkiye eventually beat Germany. "I will never forget that shot," Nowitzki admitted, adding that the two always had great respect for each other.
Nowitzki also talked about the great job Turkoglu is doing as the President of the Turkish Basketball Federation. He noted that Türkiye’s national teams are doing very well and that the country is investing heavily in the sport.
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