Meet The Newest 76er, Furkan Aldemir
By Ray Boyd
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- On Monday, the Sixers announced the signing of forward/center Furkan Aldemir. The big man will suit up for the Sixers on Monday night against the Celtics after practicing with the team for the first time on Monday.
Aldemir is a native of Turkey and has played eight years of professional basketball overseas. He most recently played for Galatasaray of the Turkish Basketball League (TBL).
The 6'10, 240 pound big man was the 53rd overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. The Sixers acquired his rights in a trade with the Houston Rockets in July of 2013.
Aldemir was one of the many players that the Sixers currently had playing overseas. That list includes Jordan McRae, who is currently competing in Australia, and highly regarded prospect Dario Saric who is also playing in the TBL.
Aldemir was expected to stay with Galatasaray until 2017, but reported monetary issues allowed him out of his contract and the 23 year old felt like the NBA was the best move to make next.
The deal is reported to be a four-year deal.
In TBL play this season, Aldemir has averaged 8.1 points per game and 9.1 rebounds while shooting 66.0% from the floor. His rebounding prowess is his best trait and that is something that the Sixers badly need considering their struggles on the glass.
With Nerlens Noel and Henry Sims being the only other true bigs on the team, Aldemir should find early opportunities to get meaningful minutes. To make room for Aldemir, the Sixers released forward and St. Joe's product Ronald Roberts.
Aldemir has not been in Philly long, but he already seems excited to be here.
Aldemir will wear number 19 for the Sixers.
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