Turkey fell to rival Greece 76-75 in overtime in the quarterfinals of the European basketball championship despite forward Hedo Turkoglu’s team-leading 13 points, five rebounds, and two assists.
In the final minute of play Turkoglu, the newest Toronto Raptor, hit a clutch basket down low to make it 75-74. However, Greece guard Nikolaos Zisis scored a free throw to make it 76-74 with just under 10 seconds to play.
Point guard Ender Aslan’s desperation three-pointer from the top of the key bounced out as the buzzer sounded, disappointing the Turkish side.
Turkoglu, a native of Istanbul, was a much sought after free agent after his playoff performance in the 2009 NBA Finals where he averaged 15.8 points per game, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists over 24 games.
Toronto acquired him this summer in a sign-and-trade deal involving the Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies.
His presence adds to the increasingly Euro-styled Raptors. He joins Slovenian Rasho Nesterovic. Spaniard Jose Calderon, and Italians Andrea Bargnani and Marco Belinelli
A nine-year veteran of the National Basketball Association, Turkoglu has played with the Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs and Orlando Magic.