Basketball community mourns death of Mehmet Can Ozturk

SAMSUN (EuroCup Women) - The women's basketball community was left stunned on Monday afternoon as news began to filter through of the death of Samsun Belediye Canik head coach Mehmet Can Ozturk.

The 43-year-old head coach, took ill on 9 October during a Turkish domestic league game. He was taken to hospital immediately, where examinations revealed complications a tear in his aorta, leading to an emergency operation.

The operation was initially declared to be a success, as his players returned to the court on Thursday, successfully defending the lead they had built of the first leg of their EuroCup Women Qualifiers clash against Chevakata a week earlier, to confirm their spot in the competition's Regular Season.

However, following the early promising signs in his recovery, his health took a turn for the worse on 15 October, from which he did not recover a second time.

His players learned of the news at half-time during a Monday scrimmage against Galatasaray. They were clearly shocked as they came to terms with the news, and the game was subsequently cancelled.

Prominent Turkish players also turned to social media to express their sadness at the news, including national team point guard Isil Alben, who passed on her respects and wished for Ozturk to rest in peace.

Fellow national team member Bahar Caglar echoed the sentiments of Alben.

The play-caller had previously spent spells with Besiktas and Edirnespor. His funeral will take place in Adana on Tuesday afternoon.

FIBA