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Türkiye’s senior men’s national basketball team has unveiled its preliminary roster for the upcoming FIBA 2027 Basketball World Cup European Qualifiers against Serbia, with newly naturalized guard Malachi Flynn receiving his first invitation to the national setup.
The squad, led by head coach Ergin Ataman, brings together players competing across domestic and international clubs, reflecting a mix of established national team figures and emerging contributors. The most prominent development comes as Bahcesehir Koleji player Malachi Emmanuel Flynn, who recently obtained Turkish citizenship, joins the national team candidate roster for the first time.
The federation confirmed that Flynn’s inclusion follows his eligibility change, allowing him to represent Türkiye in official international competition. His selection stands out as the central update within an otherwise familiar group assembled for the qualifying window.
The announced roster features players from several Turkish Basketball Super League teams as well as athletes competing abroad. Anadolu Efes contributes Ercan Osmani, Erkan Yilmaz, and Sehmus Hazer, while Bahcesehir Koleji is represented by Furkan Haltali and Flynn.
Besiktas GAIN players Berk Ibrahim Ugurlu and Sertac Sanli are also included, alongside Fenerbahce Beko’s Onuralp Bitim, James Metecan Birsen, and Tarik Biberovic. Additional selections come from Galatasaray MCT Technic, Glint Manisa Basket, TOFAS, and Trabzonspor.
The roster is rounded out by internationally based players Cedi Osman and Omer Faruk Yurtseven of Panathinaikos, reinforcing the team’s experience level ahead of the upcoming fixtures.
Türkiye will first travel to face Serbia on February 27 at 9:00 p.m. local Turkish time before hosting the return game on March 2 at 9:00 p.m. local Turkish time at the Turkcell Basketball Development Center in Istanbul.
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