Ercan Osmani orchestrated an extraordinary career moment during the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Semi-Finals, showcasing unparalleled skill. His commanding performance, highlighted by a record-tying six three-pointers, was instrumental in Turkey's decisive 94-68 triumph against Greece. This victory not only propelled his team into the championship showdown with Germany but also etched his name into the annals of Turkish basketball history, marking a significant milestone in his professional journey.
In a dramatic turn of events at the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Semi-Finals, Ercan Osmani, the 27-year-old center, delivered an astonishing display that will be remembered for years to come. With 28 points, he not only set a personal best but also established a new scoring record for a Turkish player in a EuroBasket knockout game. This monumental effort was pivotal in guiding Turkey to a commanding 94-68 victory over Greece, securing their place in the highly anticipated championship game against Germany.
Osmani's exceptional perimeter shooting was a game-changer, especially given Greece's defensive strategy, which seemingly underestimated his abilities from beyond the arc. Despite his impressive 50 percent three-point conversion rate in the tournament, the Greek defense afforded him considerable space. Osmani seized this opportunity, sinking his first three long-range attempts and accumulating 11 points within the initial five minutes of the game, setting the tone for his remarkable evening.
His teammates and coaching staff were effusive in their praise. Furkan Korkmaz lauded Osmani's dedication, stating, “He made it rain. I am really happy for him because he is working hard. We believe in him. That is what we were expecting from him.” Shane Larkin, who shared the court with Osmani at Anadolu Efes Istanbul, expressed no surprise at his teammate's explosive performance, highlighting Osmani's inherent quality that he had long recognized.
Head coach Ergin Ataman also commended Osmani, not just for his offensive rhythm but also for his unexpected defensive resilience against the formidable Giannis Antetokounmpo. Ataman humorously remarked on Osmani's “great defense” against Antetokounmpo, even jesting about the possibility of NBA teams vying for Osmani's services as a 'Giannis-stopper'. This pivotal game also saw Osmani surpass his previous national team scoring record of 17 points by halftime, finishing with an astounding 18 points in just 20 minutes.
This EuroBasket marks Osmani's most fruitful summer with the national squad. He entered the tournament with an average of 9.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in the qualifiers. His performance in Riga further elevated these statistics to 12.6 points and 5.4 rebounds, underscoring his significant growth and impact. With notable contributions, including a 16-point game against Czechia and a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds against Estonia, Osmani has firmly established himself as a breakout star of EuroBasket 2025. The lingering question remains: what further marvels will he unveil in the final?
