Domestic Leagues

Furkan Korkmaz signs with Tofas Bursa

Oct 31, 2025 3:07 PM

Furkan Korkmaz is officially returning to the Basketball Champions League, eight years after first making his mark in the competition.

The 28-year-old Turkish swingman has signed with Tofas Bursa for the remainder of the 2025–26 season, the team announced on Friday.

According to Bugra Uzar of Eurohoops Turkiye, Korkmaz’s contract includes a EuroLeague buyout clause that becomes active in January, allowing him the flexibility to move up if an opportunity arises.

The player’s return marks a full-circle moment in his career. Back in the 2016–17 season, he starred for Banvit in the inaugural edition of the Basketball Champions League, leading the team to the Final Four and the championship game against Iberostar Tenerife.

Although Banvit fell short in the final, Korkmaz’s performance earned him the league’s first-ever Best Young Player award after averaging 10.4 points per game over ten contests.

Following that breakout season, he joined the Philadelphia 76ers as the 26th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

The Istanbul native spent seven years in the NBA, showing flashes of his offensive skill and three-point shooting ability before deciding to return to Europe this season.

Now back in FIBA’s top-tier competition, Korkmaz joins a Tofas side currently sitting at 2–1 in Group D and competing for a Round of 16 spot. The move also comes shortly after Korkmaz helped Turkey earn a silver medal at EuroBasket 2025.

Korkmaz’s early success in the BCL paved the way for other young stars, including Nolan Traore and Tidjane Salaun – who won the Best Young Player awards in 2024–25 and 2023–24, respectively – before making the leap to the NBA.

Other past winners include Sadik Emir Kabaca, Giordano Bortolani, Yoan Makoundou, Carlos Alocen, Tamir Blatt, and Arnoldas Kulboka.

Elsewhere in Turkish basketball, Mersin Spor announced the signing of 23-year-old Koray Cekici, who is set to make his Basketball Champions League debut.

In Greece, Karditsa Iaponiki officially released Demajeo Wiggins, who is expected to join China’s Shenzhen Leopards, while Belgian club Filou Oostende parted ways with Kevin Obanor earlier in the week.