By Eurohoops team / [email protected]
With just under three months remaining until the start of the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket, the Turkiye national team is gearing up for the group stage, where they will compete in Group B against Serbia, Latvia, Czechia, Portugal, and Estonia.
Head coach Ergin Ataman spoke to TRT Spor about Turkiye’s preparations and roster plans for the upcoming tournament—and confirmed that Adem Bona will be part of the national team this summer:
“We know that all of our players are eager and motivated to play in the European Championship. Of course, the fact that Cedi Osman and Ömer Yurtseven are playing for Panathinaikos in the EuroLeague this season, within my system, is a big advantage for the national team. Alperen is in great shape and was selected as an All-Star this season. Adem Bona also had a strong year. He’ll be with us for EuroBasket. Last week, our Sporting Director Alper Yılmaz visited him, and Adem is very enthusiastic about playing for the national team. He’ll be coming for the European Championship,” Ataman said.
Bona was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and moved to Turkiye at age 13. He has represented Turkiye in several international tournaments, and after a very good NBA season, he is now set to represent the senior national team as well.
Ataman also emphasized his trust in Anadolu Efes guard Shane Larkin:
“We also have other players getting significant minutes in the EuroLeague, like Ercan Osmani. And we have players like Şehmus and Kenan who are doing well in the EuroCup. And of course, there’s Larkin. Larkin is a player I trust deeply. Sometimes people say, ‘Maybe Larkin’s time is up,’ when he slows down a bit, but he showed what kind of player he is in the Playoffs. He’s extremely valuable and an important part of our national team. This year, he’s very eager to play at the European Championship. We believe he’ll bring the same focus he had in the Playoffs, aiming to win a medal for the Turkiye national team. Shane Larkin is our naturalized player.”