Ömer Faruk Aşık (; born July 4, 1986) is a Turkish former professional

basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appro ...

player who last played for the

Chicago Bulls The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference. The team was founded on January 16 ...

of the

National Basketball Association The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Ca ...

(NBA). Aşık, standing at , was sought after by many of the top

Euroleague The EuroLeague is a European men's professional basketball club competition. The league is widely recognised as the top-tier and the most prestigious men's basketball league in Europe. The league consists of 20 teams, of which 16 are given lon ...

basketball teams at the age of 19. Aşık got his first chance playing professionally with the Turkish Basketball League team Fenerbahçe in 2005–06. After one season with Alpella, Aşık moved back to Fenerbahçe and eventually ended his Turkish club career with them in 2009–10. He gained recognition playing for the Turkey national team at the 2010 FIBA World Championship, and as the starting center, he helped Turkey win the silver medal. In July 2010, Aşık signed with the Chicago Bulls. He was nicknamed "The Turkish Hammer" and "Asik the Destroyer" by Bulls commentator Stacey King.

Professional career

Fenerbahçe (2005–2006)

Aşık was first signed by Fenerbahçe in 2005. He only played two games before being loaned for the 2005–06 season to FMV Işık Spor Kulübü, in the 2nd division. Fenerbahçe didn't have room on the roster for Aşık and needed his in-game development to continue.

Alpella (2006–2007)

He signed for the 2006–07 season by Alpella. He averaged 10.75 points and 11.25 rebounds over 40 games playing for Alpella. Leaving Alpella in December 2007, he resumed the season signing with Fenerbahçe for a second time. He was destined to be a superstar but in 2008 he tore his ACL and didn't play for six months. When he returned, Aşık was creating havoc in the

Turkish League Turkish may refer to: * Something related to Turkey ** Turkish language *** Turkish alphabet ** Turkish people, a Turkic ethnic group and nation *** Turkish citizen, a citizen of Turkey *** Turkish communities in the former Ottoman Empire * The w ...

, but he broke his collar-bone and didn't play for two months.

Return to Fenerbahçe (2007–2010)

After his recovery, Fenerbahçe tried to make him sign a new contract and held him out of the team until he signed. Aşık didn't give in and sat out the rest of the season. At Fenerbahçe, Aşık averaged 7.8 points and 6.1 rebounds during the 2007–08 and 2008–09 seasons. With the help of Aşık in the 2007–08 season, Fenerbahçe won the Turkish championship. He was also a two-time All-Star for Fenerbahçe in 2008 and 2009.

Chicago Bulls (2010–2012)

Aşık was drafted with the 36th overall pick by the

Portland Trail Blazers The Portland Trail Blazers (colloquially known as the Blazers) are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. The Trail Blazers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division (N ...

in the 2008 NBA draft and immediately traded to the

in a three-team deal. On July 13, 2010, Aşık was signed to a two-year deal with the Chicago Bulls. On October 27, 2010, Aşık made his regular-season debut for the Bulls in their first game of the season, a road game against the

Oklahoma City Thunder The Oklahoma City Thunder are an American professional basketball team based in Oklahoma City. The Thunder compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division (NBA), Northwest Division of the Western Confer ...

. Aşık earned more and more minutes as the season went on and eventually became one of the first players off the bench in the Bulls' playoff run. In the post-season, he suffered a fractured left fibula. Aşık recovered from his injury suffered during the 2011 playoffs. After starting in only two regular season games in 2011–12, Aşık moved into the starting lineup after Joakim Noah was injured in game 3 of the Bulls' first-round series against

Philadelphia 76ers The Philadelphia 76ers, also known colloquially as the Sixers, are an American professional basketball team based in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The 76ers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlan ...

. In the sixth and final game, Aşık missed two free throws in the last minute, allowing Philadelphia to take the lead and win the series. Throughout the game, however, Aşık had played well above his season averages, with 10 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks (vs. 3.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1 block per game).

Houston Rockets (2012–2014)

On July 20, 2012, Aşık signed an offer sheet with the

Houston Rockets The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston. The Rockets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Division of the Western Conference (NBA) ...

, reportedly worth $25.1 million for three years. Since Aşık was a restricted free agent, the Bulls could have matched Houston's offer, but decided not to do so and he officially joined the Rockets on July 24. On January 18, 2013, he set a career high for points with 22 in a loss to the

Indiana Pacers The Indiana Pacers are an American professional basketball team based in Indianapolis. The Pacers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), Ea ...

and tied it on April 1, 2013, in a win against the

Orlando Magic The Orlando Magic are an American professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. The Magic compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division (NBA), Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference (NB ...

. Aşık had a breakout season, becoming the Rockets' starting center, averaging career highs averages of 10.1 points, 11.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 30.0 minutes per game. His 956 total rebound count led the league in that category. Aşık helped the Rockets to a 45–37 record and the team made the playoffs for the first time since the 2008–09 NBA season. With the Rockets' 2013 off-season acquisition of Dwight Howard, Aşık role was dramatically reduced. After the Rockets initially started the 2013–14 season with Howard at power forward and Aşık at center, coach Kevin McHale eventually changed the team's game style, and Aşık was moved to the bench in favor of up-and-coming forward, Terrence Jones. In December 2013, Aşık injured his knee and was out for two months. In just 48 games in 2013–14, Aşık averaged 5.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.

New Orleans Pelicans (2014–2018)

On July 15, 2014, Aşık was traded to the

New Orleans Pelicans The New Orleans Pelicans are an American professional basketball team based in New Orleans. The Pelicans compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Division of the Western Confere ...

in a three-team trade that also involved the Rockets and the

Washington Wizards The Washington Wizards are an American professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C. The Wizards compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference. The team plays i ...

. On October 28, he made his debut for the Pelicans in their season-opening game against the Orlando Magic. In 33 minutes of action, he recorded 14 points, 17 rebounds, 5 blocks and 2 assists in a 101–84 win. On March 17, he tied his season-high of 16 points in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks. On April 12, he recorded his 13th double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds in a loss to the Houston Rockets. On July 9, 2015, Aşık re-signed with the Pelicans on a five-year, $60 million contract. His signing was panned by experts;

Sports Illustrated ''Sports Illustrated'' (''SI'') is an American sports magazine first published in August 1954. Founded by Stuart Scheftel, it was the first magazine with a circulation of over one million to win the National Magazine Award for General Excellen ...

gave the contract an initial "D" rating. On October 8, he was ruled out for three weeks with a right calf strain. On March 20, 2016, he scored a then season-high 15 points and tied his season best with 14 rebounds in a 109–105 win over the

Los Angeles Clippers The Los Angeles Clippers are an American professional basketball team based in the Greater Los Angeles area. The Clippers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. The ...

. In the Pelicans' season finale on April 13, Aşık recorded a season-high 24 points and 11 rebounds in a 144–109 loss to the

Minnesota Timberwolves The Minnesota Timberwolves (often referred to as the Wolves or T-wolves) are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis. The Timberwolves compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Divisio ...

. During the season, Asik's contract was repeatedly criticized in the media, including RealGM calling the deal the least tradeable contract in the NBA. Aşık was limited to 31 games in 2016–17 due to a bacterial infection that was later diagnosed as

Crohn's disease Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that may affect any segment of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms often include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, abdominal distension, and weight loss. Complications outside of the ...

. Aşık missed eight months with the illness and lost 30 pounds as a result.

Return to Chicago (2018)

On February 1, 2018, Aşık was traded, along with

Jameer Nelson Jameer Lamar Nelson Sr. (born February 9, 1982) is an American former professional basketball player who serves as general manager for the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Saint Joseph's Hawks men's ba ...

, Tony Allen and a protected first-round pick, to the

in exchange for Nikola Mirotić and a 2018 second-round pick. In addition, Chicago will have the right to swap its 2021 second-round pick with New Orleans' own 2021 second-round pick. On September 22, Aşık was ruled out indefinitely with inflammatory

arthritis Arthritis is a general medical term used to describe a disorder that affects joints. Symptoms generally include joint pain and stiffness. Other symptoms may include redness, warmth, Joint effusion, swelling, and decreased range of motion of ...

that flared up over the summer. On October 21, he was waived by the Bulls. On June 26, 2019, the NBA removed Asik's contract from the Bulls' books via career-ending injury/illness.

International career

Aşık first played on the national stage when he was appointed to Turkey's 2006 U20 European Championship Men's Division A team. He played a supporting role, averaging only 2 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. The 2006 Turkish men's national U-20 team won the silver medal, losing in the championship to Serbia & Montenegro. In 2010, Aşık was a part of the Turkey national team for the 2010 FIBA World Championship. He played a significant role for Turkey with 8.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, helping Turkey to the championship game against the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

. Turkey fell to the US 81–64, achieving the silver medal. He proved himself against some of the world's greatest players, even scoring 17 points in a landslide victory over China.

Player profile

Aşık is known as a prominent interior defender and outstanding shot-blocker. In addition to being a good rebounder and help-defender, Aşık's offensive game improved considerably with his move to the Rockets in 2012.

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

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Playoffs

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Euroleague

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References

External links

*
Euroleague.net ProfileTBLStat.net Profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:Asik, Omer 1986 births Living people Alpella basketball players Centers (basketball) Chicago Bulls players Fenerbahçe men's basketball players Houston Rockets players NBA players from Turkey New Orleans Pelicans players Portland Trail Blazers draft picks Sportspeople from Bursa Turkish expatriate basketball people in the United States People with Crohn's disease 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup players 2010 FIBA World Championship players

Professional career

Fenerbahçe (2005–2006)

Alpella (2006–2007)

Return to Fenerbahçe (2007–2010)

Chicago Bulls (2010–2012)

Houston Rockets (2012–2014)

New Orleans Pelicans (2014–2018)

Return to Chicago (2018)

International career

Player profile

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

Playoffs

Euroleague

See also

References

External links