Hedo Turkoglu life and biography

Hedo Türkoğlu is a Turkish professional basketball player in the NBA currently playing for the Orlando Magic.

Career history:

Efes Pilsen (1996–2000)
Sacramento Kings (2000–2003)
San Antonio Spurs (2003–2004)
Orlando Magic (2004–2009)
Toronto Raptors (2009–2010)
Phoenix Suns (2010)
Orlando Magic (2010–present)

The first Turkish-born player in NBA history…Has appeared in 752 regular season games during his NBA career with Sacramento, San Antonio, Orlando and Toronto, averaging 12.2 ppg., 4.3 rpg. and 2.9 apg. in 28.2 minpg.…Shot .383 (945-2,465) from three-point range during his career…Also played in 82 career postseason games, averaging 11.4 ppg., 4.5 rpg. and 3.0 apg. in 30.7 minpg....

Captured the 2007-08 NBA Most Improved Player Award…Named NBA’s Eastern Conference Player of the Week twice (periods ending Jan. 27, 2008 and Feb. 3, 2008) – the first time in Magic history a player has earned Player of the Week honors in consecutive weeks…Ranked fourth on the Kings’ all-time list in three-point field goal percentage…Named to the 2000-01 NBA All-Rookie Second Team…2009-10: Played in 74 games with Toronto, averaging 11.3 ppg., 4.6 rpg. and 4.1 apg. in 30.7 minpg….Shot .374 (108-289) from three-point range…Started in 69 games, averaging 11.4 ppg., 4.7 rpg. and 4.1 apg. during that span…Scored in double figures 38 times and had seven games with 20-plus points…Pulled down a career-high 19 rebounds on Apr. 11 vs. Chicago… Recorded two double-doubles…Converted the game-winning free throw with 1.2 seconds left on Jan. 24 vs. L.A. Lakers…Made the game-winning shot with 8.1 seconds left in overtime on Dec. 4 @ Washington...Received an accidental elbow to the face by Indiana’s Mike Dunleavy on Jan. 31 that resulted in a non-displaced fracture of the orbital bone under his right eye, which caused him to miss two games…Missed six games total due to injury: stomach flu (Mar. 26), sore left ankle (Mar. 7), orbital bone fracture (Feb. 2-3), upper respiratory infection (Jan. 3) and sore left hip (Nov. 17)…

PERSONAL:

Full name is Hidayet Turkoglu …Nicknamed Hedo…He and his wife, Banu, have one daughter, Ela (born Feb. 26, 2009)…Has a brother, Neyzat (Nez-ott)…His NBA signing was a national sports event in Turkey, with a nationally televised press conference…Keeps fans updated on his personal website – www.hedo79.com...During the summer of 2005, completed mandatory military service for his country, which is compulsory for Turkish men…Played for the Turkish National Team during three straight summers from 2003-05, again in 2009, then helped Turkey to a runner-up finish to the United States during the 2010 FIBA World Championships…Participated in Magic’s Read To Achieve program…Bought and distributed toys to underprivileged children and families over the holidays…Donated tickets to community organizations and met with the groups pre-game…Began playing basketball at the age of 10…Before joining the NBA, his favorite players included Kobe Bryant, Grant Hill, Scottie Pippen, Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell…Named to NBA Inside Stuff’s “All-Under The Radar” Team in 2003-04…Worked as a counselor and coach at the 2002 Basketball Without Borders camp in Istanbul to help promote friendship and understanding through sport among 12-14-year-old youth basketball players…Enjoys reading, listening to music, watching movies and playing video games…Wears a size 14.

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