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Following Türkiye’s 92-78 victory over Czechia in FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Group A, head coach Ergin Ataman made waves not only for the win but also for his bold statements.
Speaking at a press conference in Arena Riga, Ataman praised NBA star Alperen Sengun and made a striking claim: “Give me Alperen Sengun at Panathinaikos, and I will beat Houston Rockets.”
This statement sparked discussions across both EuroLeague and NBA circles.
Ataman also addressed the ongoing debate about the relative strength of the NBA versus EuroLeague. He remarked, “Take one star out of an NBA team, and many EuroLeague teams could beat them. There isn’t a huge gap.” This comment highlights the tactical depth and growing competitiveness of European basketball.
Against Czechia, Sengun recorded 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists, narrowly missing a triple-double. Ataman praised him, saying, “Alperen is an incredible player. He is NBA All-Star quality. I am sure he will achieve triple-doubles by the finals.”
Sengun himself expressed confidence in finding more opportunities for triple-doubles and staying focused on the team’s goals.
Regarding Sengun being rested before reaching a triple-double, Ataman explained, “I wanted him to rest because we had the next day’s game against Portugal. If someone had told me, I would have called a timeout and set the play accordingly,” emphasizing the careful balance in player management.
Türkiye currently shares the top of Group A with Serbia, winning their first two matches: 93-73 against Latvia and 92-78 against Czechia. Their next opponent is Portugal on August 30 at 9:15 p.m. (GMT +3).
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