Turkiye has announced its 17-man preliminary roster for the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers window, with Houston Rockets star Alperen Sengun notably absent.
Sengun, one of the biggest names in Turkish basketball and a centerpiece of the national team in recent years, was not included in head coach Ergin Ataman's squad for the upcoming games against Lithuania and Iceland.
No reason for Sengun's absence was provided in the announcement.
Despite being without the Rockets big man, Turkiye's preliminary roster still features a number of established NBA and EuroLeague players, including Adem Bona, Cedi Osman, Furkan Korkmaz, Omer Yurtseven, Sertac Sanli, and Ercan Osmani.
Naturalized guard Malachi Flynn is there as well, but the roster also misses new Dallas Mavericks wing Tarik Biberovic.
Turkiye enters decisive stage with perfect record
Turkiye will enter the second round of qualification in an excellent position after going unbeaten in the opening stage.
Ataman's team carries a perfect 6-0 record into Group J, putting Turkiye firmly on course to secure a place at the 2027 World Cup in Qatar.
Their first game of the August window will come against Lithuania at the Turkcell Basketball Development Center on Friday, August 28, with tip-off scheduled for 21:00 local time.
Three days later, Turkiye will travel to face Iceland on Monday, August 31.
Credit FIBA
Turkiye names 17-man preliminary roster
The preliminary squad includes:
Adem Bona, Berke Ibrahim Ugurlu, Cedi Osman, Darius Karatasu, Ercan Osmani, Erkan Yilmaz, Furkan Korkmaz, Kenan Sipahi, Malachi Flynn, Metecan Birsen, Onuralp Bitim, Omer Yurtseven, Omer Kutluay, Sertac Sanli, Sehmus Hazer, Yigit Arslan and Yigitcan Saybir.
Ataman will have to reduce the group before the official qualifying games.