Hedo Turkoglu retires from professional basketball

Hedo Turkoglu, the most-decorated Turkish-born NBA player, has announced his retirement.

The 36-year-old Turkoglu had a 15-year playing career, including two stints (eight seasons) with the Orlando Magic, who is planning on honoring Turkoglu in a special ceremony in December, according to CBS Sports.

“I am very thankful and grateful for the opportunity to live out my dream and play in the NBA,” Turkoglu said in a statement. “I will always remember my teammates, coaches, staff members and all of the fans who made my career so wonderful for myself and my family.”

The 6-10 forward was known for his versatility and ability to handle the ball, playing a pivotal role along with Dwight Howard in helping the 2009 Orlando Magic team reach the NBA Finals, where they fell short to Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers in five games.

Turkoglu was originally a first-round pick by the Sacramento Kings, where he spent three seasons, then playing a year for the San Antonio Spurs before finding a home with the Magic.

With the Magics, Turkoglu averaged 14.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 497 regular-season games, along with 49 playoff appearances, per ESPN. His best statistical season came in 2007-2008, in which he averaged 19.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game.

Although Turkoglu never made an All-Star team, he was the winner of the Most Improved Player award in 2008 and also a selection to the All-Rookie Second Team in 2001.

More importantly, he helped spearhead a wave of other Turkish internationals coming over to the NBA, including the likes of Omer Asik, Ersan Ilyasova, Enes Kanter, and Furkan Aldemir.

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