Ersan İlyasova (born 15 May 1987) is a Turkish professional

basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular court, compete with the primary objective of shooting a basketball (approximately in diameter) through the defender's h ...

player who last played for the

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of the

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(NBA). He has previously played in Turkey, Spain and the NBA Development League.

Professional career

Yeşilyurt (2003–2004)

İlyasova played for Yeşilyurt in the Turkish second division league during the 2003–04 season.

Ülkerspor (2004–2005)

İlyasova stepped up to the

Turkish Basketball League Turkish may refer to: *a Turkic language spoken by the Turks * of or about Turkey ** Turkish language *** Turkish alphabet ** Turkish people, a Turkic ethnic group and nation *** Turkish citizen, a citizen of Turkey *** Turkish communities and ...

for the 2004–05 season with Ülkerspor, averaging 4.5 points and 3.2 rebounds in eleven games.

Milwaukee Bucks (2005–2007)

İlyasova was selected by the

Milwaukee Bucks The Milwaukee Bucks are an American professional basketball team based in Milwaukee. The Bucks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division. The team was founded in 1968 ...

with the 36th overall pick of the

2005 NBA draft The 2005 NBA draft took place on June 28, 2005, in the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In this draft, NBA teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players fr ...

. In July 2005, he joined the Bucks for the 2005 NBA Summer League. On 22 August 2005, he signed with the Bucks. On 14 November 2005, he was assigned to the

Tulsa 66ers Tulsa () is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 47th-most populous city in the United States. The population was 413,066 as of the 2020 census. It is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with ...

of the NBA Development League, an assignment that lasted the entire 2005–06 season. In 46 games for the 66ers, he averaged 12.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game. İlyasova made his NBA debut for the Bucks on 1 November 2006 in a 105–97 win over the

Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division and play their home games at L ...

. In 2006–07, he played 66 games for the Bucks, averaging 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. In June 2007, the Bucks tendered a qualifying offer to İlyasova to make him a restricted free agent.

Barcelona (2007–2009)

On 18 July 2007, İlyasova signed a two-year deal with

FC Barcelona Futbol Club Barcelona (), commonly referred to as Barcelona and colloquially known as Barça (), is a professional football club based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, that competes in La Liga, the top flight of Spanish football. Found ...

of the Liga ACB. In 2009, he won a championship with Barcelona.

Return to Milwaukee (2009–2011)

In July 2009, İlyasova signed a multi-year deal to return to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Anadolu Efes (2011)

On 3 August 2011, İlyasova signed with

Anadolu Efes Anadolu Efes Biracılık ve Malt Sanayii A.Ş.''(lit. Anadolu Efes Brewery and Malt Industries)'' produces and markets beer and malt and non-alcoholic beverages in a wide geographical area comprising Turkey, Russia, the Commonwealth of Independe ...

of the Turkish Basketball League for the duration of the

NBA lockout The NBA lockout may refer to any of the four lockouts in the history of the National Basketball Association: *The 1995 NBA lockout, which lasted for three months before the 1995–96 season. *The 1996 NBA lockout, which lasted for a couple of hour ...

Third stint with Milwaukee (2011–2015)

In December 2011, İlyasova returned to the Bucks following the conclusion of the lockout. On 19 February 2012, İlyasova set new career-highs with 29 points and 25 rebounds against the

New Jersey Nets New is an adjective referring to something recently made, discovered, or created. New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz Albums and EPs * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator ...

, becoming just the third Bucks player in franchise history to record at least 25 points and 25 rebounds in a game, after

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Kareem (alternatively spelled Karim or Kerim) ( ar, کریم) is a common given name and surname of Arabic origin that means "generous", "noble", "honorable". It is also one of the Names of God in Islam in the Quran. Given name Karim * Karim A ...

(10 times) and

Swen Nater Swen Erick Nater (born January 14, 1950) is a Dutch former professional basketball player. He played primarily in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and National Basketball Association (NBA), and is the only player to have led both the NBA ...

(once). The feat had not been achieved for more than 35 years. He subsequently earned the Player of the Week award for his performances from March 5–11. On 12 July 2012, İlyasova re-signed with the Bucks on a multi-year deal. On 27 March 2014, İlyasova was ruled out for the remainder of the 2013–14 season due to a right ankle injury. On 26 March 2015, İlyasova scored a career-high 34 points in a 111–107 win over the Indiana Pacers.

Detroit Pistons (2015–2016)

On 11 June 2015, İlyasova was traded to the

in exchange for

Caron Butler James Caron Butler (born March 13, 1980) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is an assistant coach for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA). During a 14-year career he played for the Miami ...

and Shawne Williams. The move reunited him with

Brandon Jennings Brandon Byron Jennings (born September 23, 1989) is an American former professional basketball player who played 9 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is known for being one of the first Americans to go from high school to ...

, who he played with in Milwaukee. On 27 October he made his debut for the Pistons in a 106–94 win over the

Atlanta Hawks The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta. The Hawks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The team plays its home games at ...

, recording 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one block in 34 minutes.

Orlando Magic (2016)

On 16 February 2016, İlyasova was traded to the Orlando Magic, along with

, in exchange for

Tobias Harris Tobias John Harris (born July 15, 1992) is an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played one season of college basketball for the Tennessee Volunteers before declar ...

. The next day, he made his debut with the Magic in a 110–104 win over the Dallas Mavericks, recording 16 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal in 23 minutes.

Oklahoma City Thunder (2016)

On 23 June 2016, İlyasova was traded, along with

Victor Oladipo Kehinde Babatunde Victor Oladipo (born May 4, 1992) is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Indiana Hoosiers, where in the 2012-2013 sea ...

and the draft rights to

Domantas Sabonis Domantas Sabonis (; born May 3, 1996) is a Lithuanian-American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is a two-time NBA All-Star. Sabonis started his career in Spain with Unicaj ...

, to 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 league's Western Conference Northwest Division. The team plays i ...

in exchange for Serge Ibaka. He appeared in three games for the Thunder to begin the 2016–17 Oklahoma City Thunder season, 2016–17 season.

Philadelphia 76ers (2016–2017)

On 1 November 2016, İlyasova was traded, along with a conditional first-round pick, to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Jerami Grant. He made his debut for the 76ers the next day, scoring an equal team-high 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting in a 109–93 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. On 6 December he had season bests of 23 points and 17 rebounds in a 96–91 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. He had a second 23-point game on 8 December against the New Orleans Pelicans, and a third 23-point game on 30 December against the Denver Nuggets—both resulting in wins. On 29 January 2017, he scored a season-high 31 points in a 121–108 loss to the Chicago Bulls.

Atlanta Hawks (2017–2018)

On 22 February 2017, İlyasova was traded again, this time to the

in exchange for Tiago Splitter, a protected 2017 second-round pick, and the option to swap a second-round pick. On 21 July 2017, İlyasova re-signed with the Hawks. On 26 February 2018, he was waived by the Hawks.

Return to Philadelphia (2018)

On 28 February 2018, İlyasova signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, returning to the franchise for a second stint.

Fourth stint with Milwaukee (2018–2020)

On 16 July 2018, İlyasova signed with the

, returning to the franchise for a third stint. On 16 December 2018, he sustained a fractured nose during practice, which required surgery. On 19 November 2020, İlyasova was waived by Milwaukee.

Utah Jazz (2021)

On 11 March 2021, İlyasova signed with the

for the remainder of the season. On 17 April, İlyasova logged a season-high 20 points on 7-of-11 field goal shooting and 6-of-8 from three, in addition to five rebounds, four steals and two blocks across 31 minutes in a 115–127 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. On 22 December 2021, İlyasova signed a 10-day contract with the Chicago Bulls. İlyasova entered the NBA's health and safety protocols on December 28, and did not play for the team before his contract expired.

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

, - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", 2006–07 Milwaukee Bucks season, Milwaukee , 66 , , 14 , , 14.7 , , .383 , , .365 , , .787 , , 2.9 , , .7 , , .4 , , .3 , , 6.1 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", 2009–10 Milwaukee Bucks season, Milwaukee , 81 , , 31 , , 23.4 , , .443 , , .336 , , .715 , , 6.4 , , 1.0 , , .7 , , .3 , , 10.4 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", 2010–11 Milwaukee Bucks season, Milwaukee , 60 , , 34 , , 25.1 , , .436 , , .298 , , .894 , , 6.1 , , .9 , , .9 , , .4 , , 9.5 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", 2011–12 Milwaukee Bucks season, Milwaukee , 60 , , 41 , , 27.6 , , .492 , , .455 , , .781 , , 8.8 , , 1.2 , , .7 , , .7 , , 13.0 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", 2012–13 Milwaukee Bucks season, Milwaukee , 73 , , 54 , , 27.6 , , .462 , , .444 , , .796 , , 7.1 , , 1.6 , , .9 , , .5 , , 13.2 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", 2013–14 Milwaukee Bucks season, Milwaukee , 55 , , 47 , , 26.9 , , .409 , , .282 , , .823 , , 6.2 , , 1.3 , , .8 , , .1 , , 11.2 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", 2014–15 Milwaukee Bucks season, Milwaukee , 58 , , 36 , , 22.7 , , .472 , , .389 , , .645 , , 4.8 , , 1.0 , , .6 , , .3 , , 11.5 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", 2015–16 Detroit Pistons season, Detroit , 52 , , 52 , , 27.6 , , .425 , , .363 , , .725 , , 5.4 , , 1.1 , , .7 , , .5 , , 11.3 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", 2015–16 Orlando Magic season, Orlando , 22 , , 4 , , 20.3 , , .418 , , .409 , , .711 , , 5.5 , , .5 , , .6 , , .3 , , 8.1 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", 2016–17 Oklahoma City Thunder season, Oklahoma City , 3 , , 0 , , 20.8 , , .375 , , .250 , , .000 , , 5.3 , , .3 , , 1.0 , , .3 , , 5.0 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", 2016–17 Philadelphia 76ers season, Philadelphia , 53 , , 40 , , 27.3 , , .440 , , .359 , , .768 , , 5.9 , , 1.8 , , .6 , , .3 , , 14.8 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", 2016–17 Atlanta Hawks season, Atlanta , 26 , , 12 , , 24.3 , , .412 , , .348 , , .800 , , 5.8 , , 1.6 , , .8 , , .3 , , 10.4 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", 2017–18 Atlanta Hawks season, Atlanta , 46 , , 40 , , 25.5 , , .459 , , .359 , , .800 , , 5.5 , , 1.1 , , 1.0 , , .4 , , 10.9 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", 2017–18 Philadelphia 76ers season, Philadelphia , 23 , , 3 , , 24.1 , , .439 , , .361 , , .733 , , 6.7 , , 1.7 , , .7 , , .4 , , 10.8 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", 2018–19 Milwaukee Bucks season, Milwaukee , 67 , , 7 , , 18.4 , , .438 , , .363 , , .824 , , 4.5 , , .8 , , .5 , , .3 , , 6.8 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", 2019–20 Milwaukee Bucks season, Milwaukee , 63 , , 8 , , 15.7 , , .466 , , .365 , , .828 , , 4.8 , , .8 , , .4 , , .3 , , 6.6 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", 2020–21 Utah Jazz season, Utah , 17 , , 1 , , 8.7 , , .389 , , .439 , , 1.000 , , 1.7 , , .2 , , .6 , , .2 , , 3.8 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 825 , , 424 , , 23.0 , , .443 , , .367 , , .777 , , 5.6 , , 1.1 , , .7 , , .4 , , 10.1

Playoffs

, - , style="text-align:left;", 2010 NBA Playoffs, 2010 , style="text-align:left;", 2009–10 Milwaukee Bucks season, Milwaukee , 7 , , 0 , , 22.4 , , .480 , , .357 , , .833 , , 7.6 , , .4 , , .7 , , .1 , , 9.7 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2013 NBA Playoffs, 2013 , style="text-align:left;", 2012–13 Milwaukee Bucks season, Milwaukee , 4 , , 4 , , 29.3 , , .435 , , .400 , , 1.000 , , 7.3 , , 1.8 , , 1.3 , , .3 , , 11.5 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2015 NBA Playoffs, 2015 , style="text-align:left;", 2014–15 Milwaukee Bucks season, Milwaukee , 6 , , 6 , , 23.7 , , .328 , , .217 , , .700 , , 3.8 , , .5 , , .8 , , .5 , , 8.7 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2017 NBA Playoffs, 2017 , style="text-align:left;", 2016–17 Atlanta Hawks season, Atlanta , 6 , , 0 , , 15.0 , , .348 , , .200 , , .778 , , 5.2 , , .3 , , .2 , , .0 , , 4.0 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2018 NBA Playoffs, 2018 , style="text-align:left;", 2017–18 Philadelphia 76ers season, Philadelphia , 10 , , 1 , , 23.3 , , .429 , , .290 , , .571 , , 7.6 , , 1.3 , , .7 , , .4 , , 9.3 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2019 NBA Playoffs, 2019 , style="text-align:left;", 2018–19 Milwaukee Bucks season, Milwaukee , 15 , , 0 , , 18.1 , , .432 , , .300 , , .800 , , 4.7 , , 1.4 , , .7 , , .4 , , 6.8 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2020 NBA Playoffs, 2020 , style="text-align:left;", 2019–20 Milwaukee Bucks season, Milwaukee , 3 , , 0 , , 7.7 , , .333 , , .200 , , 1.000 , , 1.3 , , .0 , , .7 , , .0 , , 3.0 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2021 NBA Playoffs, 2021 , style="text-align:left;", 2020–21 Utah Jazz season, Utah , 1 , , 0 , , 3.0 , , .500 , , .000 , , 1.000 , , .0 , , .0 , , .0 , , .0 , , 4.0 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 52 , , 11 , , 19.9 , , .413 , , .287 , , .753 , , 5.5 , , .9 , , .7 , , .3 , , 7.7

EuroLeague

, - , style="text-align:left;", 2004–05 Euroleague, 2004–05 , style="text-align:left;", Ülkerspor , 6 , , 0 , , 4.8 , , .267 , , .111 , , .500 , , .5 , , .0 , , .0 , , .0 , , 1.7 , , - 1.0 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2007–08 Euroleague, 2007–08 , style="text-align:left;",

, 22 , , 8 , , 18.1 , , .379 , , .241 , , .538 , , 4.7 , , .7 , , .8 , , 1.1 , , 6.1 , , 7.1 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2008–09 Euroleague, 2008–09 , style="text-align:left;", FC Barcelona , 22 , , 15 , , 20.8 , , .457 , , .403 , , .816 , , 7.0 , , .8 , , .5 , , .6 , , 10.5 , , 13.0 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2011–12 Euroleague, 2011–12 , style="text-align:left;",

, 8 , , 8 , , 20.7 , , .482 , , .353 , , .593 , , 5.5 , , .9 , , 1.5 , , 1.5 , , 9.5 , , 13.6 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 58 , , 31 , , 18.1 , , .426 , , .323 , , .667 , , 5.2 , , .7 , , .7 , , .8 , , 7.8 , , 9.4

National team career

Before playing for the senior Turkey national basketball team, İlyasova was named the MVP of the 2006 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship, after leading Turkey's junior national team to a silver medal in İzmir. İlyasova has since represented Turkey at the 2006 FIBA World Championship, EuroBasket 2007, EuroBasket 2009, 2010 FIBA World Championship, EuroBasket 2011, EuroBasket 2013 and EuroBasket 2015.

Personal life

İlyasova is the son of Crimean Tatars, Crimean Tatar parents Anvar and Iraliye İlyasova. He is married to Julia, who was born in Belarus. They have two daughters and one son, all born in Milwaukee. İlyasova is Muslim.

Citizenship and age

Since the 2003 Turkish Junior Basketball Championship held in Konya, there has been some controversy to İlyasova's age and national origin. The controversy is fueled by the claim that a man named Arsen Ilyasov, born in 1984 in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, entered Turkey as an 18-year-old on 7 August 2002 and was never heard from again, while on 19 September 2002, a man named Semsettin Bulut claimed to have forgotten to register the birth of his now 15-year-old son, and did so as Ersan İlyasova, a Turkish citizen. This claim, that İlyasova is actually Ilyasov and should be an Uzbek player, was officially put forth by the Uzbekistan Basketball Federation in a grievance, but FIBA ruled in the Turkish Basketball Federation's favor. While this controversy was brewing, ESPN's Chad Ford referred to Ilyasova as "The 17-year-old forward from Uzbekistan is widely considered the best prospect to ever come out of Turkey." Other biographies, while not claiming an Uzbek birth, still maintain a 1984 birth year.

References

External links

İlyasova's official website

Milwaukee Bucks bio

Euroleague.net profile

TBLStat.net profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ilyasova, Ersan 1987 births Living people 2006 FIBA World Championship players 2010 FIBA World Championship players 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup players Anadolu Efes S.K. players Atlanta Hawks players Detroit Pistons players FC Barcelona Bàsquet players Liga ACB players Milwaukee Bucks draft picks Milwaukee Bucks players National Basketball Association players from Turkey Oklahoma City Thunder players Orlando Magic players Philadelphia 76ers players Power forwards (basketball) Small forwards Sportspeople from Eskişehir Tulsa 66ers players Turkish expatriate basketball people in Spain Turkish expatriate basketball people in the United States Turkish men's basketball players Turkish people of Crimean Tatar descent Ülker G.S.K. basketball players Utah Jazz players