Ömer Aşık facts for kids
Aşık with the Houston Rockets in 2012
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| Personal information | |||||||||||
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| Born | July 4, 1986 Bursa, Turkey |
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| Nationality | Turkish | ||||||||||
| Listed height | 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) | ||||||||||
| Listed weight | 255 lb (116 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| NBA Draft | 2008 / Round: 2 / Pick: 36th overall | ||||||||||
| Selected by the Portland Trail Blazers | |||||||||||
| Pro career | 2005–2018 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
| 2005–2006 | Fenerbahçe | ||||||||||
| 2005–2006 | →FMV Işık Spor Kulübü | ||||||||||
| 2006–2007 | Alpella | ||||||||||
| 2007–2010 | Fenerbahçe | ||||||||||
| 2010–2012 | Chicago Bulls | ||||||||||
| 2012–2014 | Houston Rockets | ||||||||||
| 2014–2018 | New Orleans Pelicans | ||||||||||
| 2018 | Chicago Bulls | ||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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Medals
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Ömer Faruk Aşık (born July 4, 1986) is a Turkish former professional basketball player. He played as a center in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing at 7 feet tall, Ömer was a strong player. Many top European basketball teams wanted him when he was 19.
Ömer Aşık started his professional career in Turkey. He played for the Turkish Basketball League team Fenerbahçe in 2005. Later, he joined the Chicago Bulls in 2010. Bulls fans nicknamed him "The Turkish Hammer." He also helped the Turkish national team win a silver medal in 2010.
Ömer Aşık's Basketball Journey
Early Career in Turkey
Ömer Aşık began his basketball journey with Fenerbahçe in 2005. He played only two games there at first. Then, he was loaned to FMV Işık Spor Kulübü for a season. This helped him get more playing time and develop his skills.
Playing for Alpella
In 2006, Ömer joined Alpella for one season. He played very well there. He averaged about 10 points and 11 rebounds per game. After this, he returned to Fenerbahçe in December 2007.
Return to Fenerbahçe and Turkish Success
Ömer Aşık faced some injuries during this time. He tore a ligament in his knee and later broke his collarbone. Despite these setbacks, he helped Fenerbahçe win the Turkish championship in 2008. He was also chosen as an All-Star player twice, in 2008 and 2009.
Joining the NBA: Chicago Bulls
Ömer Aşık was picked by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2008 NBA draft. However, he was quickly traded to the Chicago Bulls. On July 13, 2010, he officially signed a two-year deal with the Bulls.
He made his NBA debut in October 2010. Ömer earned more playing time as the season went on. He became an important player coming off the bench. During the 2011 playoffs, he suffered a leg injury.
After recovering, Ömer Aşık played a bigger role in the 2011–12 season. He even started some games when another player was injured. In a playoff game, he played very well. He scored 10 points and grabbed 9 rebounds.
Time with the Houston Rockets
In July 2012, Ömer Aşık signed with the Houston Rockets. This was a big step in his career. He became the Rockets' main center. He had a fantastic season, averaging 10.1 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. He led the entire league in total rebounds that year.
Ömer helped the Rockets make the playoffs for the first time in years. However, the Rockets later added another star player, Dwight Howard. This meant Ömer's role on the team changed. He played fewer minutes and often came off the bench. He also had a knee injury in December 2013.
Playing for the New Orleans Pelicans
In July 2014, Ömer Aşık was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans. He made a strong debut for the team. In his first game, he scored 14 points and grabbed 17 rebounds. He also blocked 5 shots.
In 2015, Ömer signed a new contract with the Pelicans. He continued to be a strong rebounder and defender. In one game in 2016, he scored a season-high 24 points.
During the 2016–17 season, Ömer Aşık played in fewer games. He had a bacterial infection that caused him to lose weight. This illness kept him off the court for several months.
Final Stint with the Chicago Bulls
In February 2018, Ömer Aşık was traded back to the Chicago Bulls. This was his second time playing for the team. However, he was later ruled out due to inflammatory arthritis. This condition affected his joints. In October 2018, the Bulls released him. His contract was later removed from the team's books due to his career-ending injury.
International Basketball Career
Ömer Aşık also played for the Turkish national team. In 2006, he helped the Turkish U20 team win a silver medal. In 2010, he was a key player for the senior national team. He helped Turkey reach the championship game of the 2010 FIBA World Championship. They won the silver medal after losing to the United States. Ömer showed his skills against some of the best players in the world.
Player Skills and Style
Ömer Aşık was known for his strong defense. He was excellent at blocking shots and grabbing rebounds. He was a great "help-defender," meaning he would help his teammates stop opponents from scoring. When he joined the Rockets, his offensive game also got much better.
Images for kids
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Aşık with the Houston Rockets in 2012
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Ömer Aşık playing for the Chicago Bulls in February 2011.
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Aşık blocking a shot during a game in October 2012.
See also
In Spanish: Ömer Aşık para niños
- List of European basketball players in the United States
