Turkey’s silver-medal finish at EuroBasket 2025 came with drama on and off the court, as Cedi Osman’s ankle injury became a major storyline during the semifinals and final. The Cleveland Cavaliers forward sprained his ankle during the quarterfinal against Poland, forcing him to play through pain in the decisive games.
Osman was diagnosed with bone swelling, though fortunately no fracture. He was forced to skip training sessions before both the semifinal against Greece and the final against Germany, entering games with heavy strapping. Despite being visibly limited, Osman still contributed 10 points and 5 rebounds against Greece, and 8 points in the final.
Head coach Ergin Ataman praised Osman’s commitment: “He played on one leg, but his heart was there. Without him, we wouldn’t have reached this far.” Teammates echoed this sentiment, noting how Osman’s presence opened space for Şengün and Turkey’s shooters.
While Osman couldn’t provide his usual spark, his leadership was vital to Turkey’s run to their first EuroBasket final in 24 years. Medical staff confirmed he’ll require several weeks of rest, putting his NBA preseason with the Cavaliers in doubt.
For Turkey, the silver medal is a cause for celebration, but also a reminder of what might have been had Osman been fully healthy. The combination of Şengün’s rise and Osman’s veteran presence is a foundation the national team can build on for future tournaments. Fans in Istanbul are already dreaming of an even stronger showing at the FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifiers.
