The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/743343
76 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2016-17 ■ Omer Yurtseven 14 • C Fr. • Istanbul, Turkey • 7-0 • 245 Analysis: Provided that Yurtseven is cleared by the NCAA to play this year, the skilled big man is expected to play a major role in the paint for NC State. Numerous NBA Draft gurus have hyped Yurtseven as a potential first-round pick. Career Highlights: Rated as the No. 3 center in the class of 2016 by Scout.com … Was considered a five-star caliber prospect by Rivals.com … Averaged 10.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game to help Turkey grab a bronze medal at the FIBA U-20 European Championship and was named to the All-Star Five … A year earlier, averaged 9.8 points and 9.7 boards for the U-18 team that won the silver at the U-18 European Championships … In the spring of 2016, made 34 of 39 field goal attempts to score 91 points in one game for the U-18 squad … Made five threes in that contest and grabbed 28 rebounds. Coach's Corner: "We're counting on Omer in a big way to step in there and be part of however we play with our rotation." — Mark Gottfried Personal: Engineering major. Ten Questions With Omer Yurtseven What is your hidden talent? Cooking. What sports icon would you like to have dinner with? I used to idolize Tim Duncan a lot when I was a kid, so probably him. If you weren't wearing No. 14, what number would you want? I wanted to wear 44, but I heard it's really important to NC State. What's your dream car? Something really fast. Who is the best dunker on the team? [Abdul-]Malik [Abu], Markell [ Johnson] and Dennis [Smith Jr.]. They would go at it, but I don't know who would win. How many pair of shoes do you think you currently have? Thirty at the moment, here in Raleigh. What's your favorite city you have ever visited? Raleigh. Down one in the national title game with one second left and two free throws, who on the team do you want taking the shots? I would. How would you describe your personality in one word? Humble. What is your favorite season of the year? Fall. Summers here are too hot. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN