After a great displays in TBF U16, Baltic Cup and Bellegarde tournament, Turkey U16 team aimed medals in this U16 European Championship that held in Podgorica. After several ups and downs during the tournament, Turkey finished 5th and booked their place in U17 World Cup. We had to chance to talk with two promising players of this team, Mustafa Kurtuldum lead the team in scoring and Tarık Sezgün showed the best upside in the team. Both players are craving for more success coming down the road.
Q: You guys had a tournament with ups and downs but soon get a place in the next U17 World Cup. How was the preparation period and the tournament for you?
Tarık Sezgün: Before the tournament, like all the other teams our objective was to win the championship. After the loss to France on the quarter finals we were focused on getting a place in the U17 World Cup in Argentina and did everything to get that place and thankfully we achieved that. This was my first European Championship so before the games I was very excited. We didn’t get off to a good start at the beginning of the tournament but I always tried to give my best.
Mustafa Kurtuldum: We had a very hard and long conditioning period before the tournament. Of course we were aiming to be in a better position at the beginning of the tournament but we couldn’t live up to our expectations. We played well in the classification games and I’m happy that we booked our flight to Argentina.
Q: What are your expectations after this tournament?
Tarık Sezgün: From now on, I expectations from the future is to be able to present my club Anadolu Efes and my National Team as good as possible. Also for my development, I aim to work very tight and hard to close off my weaknesses and show my best performance all the time.
Mustafa Kurtuldum: In the upcoming summer, I really like to play with both my generation in the World Cup and also with the year older group in the U18 European Championship. I also have to keep my personal development at a high rate so the new youth league system in Turkey can be very helpful for me.
Q: Where do you see yourself after getting out of the youth system, in professional basketball?
Tarık Sezgün: Like every other player in this level, I would really like to play in professional level and be the best me I can. My ultimate goal is to be a player that has a place and gets respected in both NBA and European competitions.
Mustafa Kurtuldum: First of all, I would really like to attend senior team camp of Anadolu Efes and then to get a place in the senior team is my first goal. After that I would really like to try my chances in the NBA but if that won’t be possible, I think I can show my abilities in Euroleague better.
Q: What would you like to improve in your games? What kind of a player you would like to be?
Tarık Sezgün: I don’t think my body is not enough right now to be a bigman so I try to improve my body. I want to be a proficient player on both face-up and low post situations, I have to polish my skills on those areas.
Mustafa Kurtuldum: My first aim right now is to improve my shooting and all-around fundamentals. I compare myself to Cedi Osman because of that I want to be a player like him in the future.
Q: Who do you idolize in your life and in basketball?
Tarık Sezgün: Since my childhood, I admire my grandfather’s character and behavior and I idolize him. In a basketball perspective, I adore Kristaps Porzingis and I try to be like him.
Mustafa Kurtuldum: My idol is definitely the one who contributed the most to my development, current Anadolu Efes assistant coach Cenk Yıldırım. I like the see the playing of Kobe Bryant and Kahwi Leonard, so idolize them too.
