Turkish Basketball Federation (TBF) President Hidayet Türkoğlu’s statements about national basketball player Cedi Osman, who plays for San Antonio Spurs in the NBA, saying, “He came to us and said that he did not want to play in the National Team,” became a hot topic.
Cedi Osman responded to Hidayet Türkoğlu’s claim with a statement on his social media account. “I think the facts should be known,” said Cedi Osman, stating that he was mentally and physically tired and asked for permission from the federation officials, and that Hidayet Türkoğlu was also present at the meeting. Cedi Osman said in his statement: “They approached the issue positively, approved it, and even stated that they wanted to protect me against any negative perception that might arise. “I did not refuse the national jersey,” he said.
Cedi Osman’s full statement is as follows:
“In days when the world is being tested with much more important issues and suffering, I would not want to bother you with a personal issue. I am deeply saddened that the National Team, whose jersey I have proudly carried throughout my life, has become a subject of discussion. This is exactly why I think the facts need to be known.
To date, I have worn the national jersey 178 times in all categories. No matter what happened, I tried to do my best when given the task.
I have been playing basketball at the highest level for 10 years, the last 6 seasons in the NBA. This year, I started to realize that the mental and physical fatigue of years was now affecting my health. On June 2, 2023, in order not to victimize anyone, before the national team squad was announced, I met with the federation officials and asked for permission from this year’s FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
I said that I wanted to spend this period resting and rehabilitating. Our federation president Hidayet Türkoğlu and our national team officials were also present at the meeting. They approached the issue positively, approved it, and even stated that they wanted to protect me against any negative perception that might arise. I did not refuse the national jersey.
“For me, there is no jersey more valuable than the Crescent-Star jersey.”
2023-10-18 17:53:27
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