NBA Europe target for Galatasaray: Çetinkaya says 'We could be the first Turkish team'

Galatasaray Club Board Member responsible for basketball, Mecit Mert Çetinkaya, said that the yellow-red men's basketball team could take part in the planned NBA Europe organization. Stating that the club is one of the strong candidates for this project, Çetinkaya expressed that the process is proceeding through business plans and financial topics.

Stating that NBA Europe is an important project planned to start next year, Çetinkaya conveyed that Galatasaray has reached a point of acceptance with previous presentations. He emphasized that for the process to be finalized, the establishment of the Basketball Inc. (Basketbol AŞ), company shares, and the financial structure regarding the NBA side must be completed.

''If we can also make the mathematics of this business work, I hope that next year Galatasaray will be the first Turkish team to take part in NBA Europe.''

Çetinkaya also said that the facility development initiative Galatasaray started in Aslantepe is critical for basketball and amateur branches. Stating that the project could take approximately three years, the executive noted that the goal is to complete the basketball arena in the first stage. According to Çetinkaya, the possibility of NBA Europe and the commissioning of the new arena could enable the club to reach a new level in basketball.

TRANSFER AND BUDGET PLAN

Reminding that they are continuing with Italian head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco in the men's basketball team, Çetinkaya said that they place special importance on the character of the players in team structuring. Referring to the additions of Buğrahan, Şehmuz, Metu, Pierre, and Nikolic, Çetinkaya stated that they want to build a squad that fights and competes.

Explaining that transfer efforts are not yet complete, Çetinkaya said they plan to add three more players to the squad. The yellow-reds are targeting one point guard and two centers. Çetinkaya expressed that it takes time to convince EuroLeague-level players to join a team competing in the Basketball Champions League, but that the magnitude of the Galatasaray community provides a significant advantage in this process.

Providing information about the new season's budget, Çetinkaya said that they are trying to increase the budget, whose main framework was determined when they took office, with sponsorship and gate revenues. Stating that they have signed agreements with three sponsors and plan to announce three new sponsorships next week, Çetinkaya noted that they aim to increase the number of sponsors to 7, excluding MCT Technic.

Touching upon the women's basketball team, Çetinkaya reminded that despite playing in the finals of the EuroLeague and the Turkish League last season, they missed out on the trophies. Stating that a stronger squad has been built this season, the Galatasaray executive said they aim for championships in both Europe and Turkey.

Expressing that he expects relations with the Turkish Basketball Federation to progress positively, Çetinkaya reminded that he served in the federation for many years and worked with the current president, Hidayet Türkoğlu. Çetinkaya stated that they have received support from the TBF regarding the arena and other requests.

Saying that he grew up within the Galatasaray community, Çetinkaya emphasized that they are aware of the fans' expectations. Stating his belief that if a sporting momentum is captured in basketball, the fans will fill the arenas again, Çetinkaya said their goal is to represent the club crest with success and trophies.