Omer Yurtseven

Omer Faruk Yurtseven was born on June 19, 1998 in Istanbul, Turkey. Yurtseven began playing competitive basketball at a young age, competing for the Turkish national team in the 2013 and 2014 FIBA Europe U16 Championship. He was also a silver medalist for Turkey in the 2015 FIBA Europe U18 Championship. In 2016, Yurtseven competed in the FIBA Europe U20 Championship, winning a bronze medal and making the All-Tournament team. In 2015, Yurtseven made his EuroLeague debut for Fenerbahce, and later that year he participated in an NBA preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets. At age 17, Yurtseven became the youngest player to participate in an NBA preseason contest. Yurseven committed to play collegiately at North Carolina State, but due to his previous professional status, he had to sit out the first nine games of the season, as well as donate $1,000 to charity. Yurtseven made his college basketball debut on December 15, 2016 in an NC State victory over Appalachian State. He went on to appear in 22 games, making 14 starts and averaging 5.9 points and 4.4 rebounds in 18.9 minutes. As a sophomore, Yurtseven appeared in 33 games, posting 13.5 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. Yurtseven earned All-ACC Third Team honors and opted to test the waters in advance of the 2018 NBA Draft. Ultimately, Yurtseven decided to return to college basketball, but he announced that he would transfer to Georgetown. After sitting out the entirety of the 2018-19 season, Yurtseven started 25 of 26 games for the Hoyas, posting 15.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.5 blocks in 27.3 minutes per contest.