Semih Erden facts for kids
![]() Semih Erden at the awarding ceremony of the 2010 FIBA World Championship
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Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Born | Gaziosmanpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey |
July 28, 1986 |||||||||||||||||||
Nationality | Turkish | |||||||||||||||||||
Listed height | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) | |||||||||||||||||||
Listed weight | 255 lb (116 kg) | |||||||||||||||||||
Career information | ||||||||||||||||||||
NBA Draft | 2008 / Round: 2 / Pick: 60th overall | |||||||||||||||||||
Selected by the Boston Celtics | ||||||||||||||||||||
Pro career | 2003–2024 | |||||||||||||||||||
Career history | ||||||||||||||||||||
2003–2004 | Darüşşafaka | |||||||||||||||||||
2004–2005 | Partizan | |||||||||||||||||||
2005–2010 | Fenerbahçe | |||||||||||||||||||
2010–2011 | Boston Celtics | |||||||||||||||||||
2011–2012 | Cleveland Cavaliers | |||||||||||||||||||
2011 | Beşiktaş | |||||||||||||||||||
2012–2014 | Anadolu Efes | |||||||||||||||||||
2014–2015 | Fenerbahçe | |||||||||||||||||||
2015–2017 | Darüşşafaka | |||||||||||||||||||
2017 | Hacettepe Üniversitesi | |||||||||||||||||||
2017–2018 | Beşiktaş | |||||||||||||||||||
2018–2019 | İstanbul BŞB | |||||||||||||||||||
2019–2022 | Pınar Karşıyaka | |||||||||||||||||||
2022–2023 | Türk Telekom | |||||||||||||||||||
2023–2024 | Bursaspor | |||||||||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Medals
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Semih Erden is a famous Turkish basketball player who recently retired. He was born on July 28, 1986. Semih is very tall, standing at 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 meters). He played as a center, which is usually the tallest player on a basketball team. Centers often play close to the basket, scoring points and blocking shots.
Contents
Semih Erden's Basketball Journey
Semih Erden had a long and exciting career playing basketball for many different teams. He played in Turkey, Serbia, and even in the NBA in the United States.
Starting Out in Turkey
Semih began his professional career in the 2003–2004 season with a team called Darüşşafaka in the Turkish Basketball League. He played one game, scoring a point and grabbing two rebounds. Most of that season, he played with the junior team to gain experience.
Playing in Serbia
The next season, Semih moved to Serbia to play for Partizan Belgrade. He played in the Adriatic League, where he averaged 4.6 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. He even scored 17 points in one game! Semih also played in the EuroLeague, a top European competition.
Joining Fenerbahçe
In 2005, Semih returned to Turkey and signed with Fenerbahçe, a very popular team. He played there for five seasons. During his time at Fenerbahçe, he improved a lot.
- In his first season, he averaged 6.5 points and 5.4 rebounds.
- He scored double-digit points in many games.
- He also played in the EuroLeague with Fenerbahçe, helping his team.
- In his third season, he averaged 7.1 points and 4.7 rebounds.
- He sometimes missed games due to a knee injury, but he always came back strong.
Playing in the NBA
Semih Erden's talent was noticed by teams in the United States. He was chosen by the Boston Celtics in the 2008 NBA draft. This was a big deal because the NBA is the top basketball league in the world!
Time with the Boston Celtics
Semih officially joined the Celtics in 2010. He got his first chance to start a game on December 9, 2010. This happened because some of the Celtics' main centers were injured. He scored 8 points in that game. Just two nights later, he started again and played a fantastic game. He scored 10 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and blocked 4 shots!
Moving to the Cleveland Cavaliers
In February 2011, Semih was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He continued to play in the NBA for the Cavaliers until 2012.
Returning to Europe
After his time in the NBA, Semih Erden returned to play basketball in Europe.
Back in Turkey
- In 2011, he signed with Beşiktaş in Turkey. He even played alongside famous NBA player Deron Williams during an NBA lockout.
- He later signed with Anadolu Efes in 2012.
- In 2014, Semih returned to Fenerbahçe for another season. That year, Fenerbahçe made it to the Euroleague Final Four for the first time ever!
- He then played for Darüşşafaka again from 2015 to 2017.
- He also played for Hacettepe Üniversitesi GSK and Beşiktaş again in 2017.
- In 2018, he joined İstanbul BŞB.
- From 2019 to 2022, Semih played for Pınar Karşıyaka.
- He then played for Türk Telekom in the 2022–2023 season.
- His final professional team was Bursaspor İnfo Yatırım in the 2023–2024 season.
Retirement
Semih Erden officially announced his retirement from basketball on February 4, 2025, after a long and successful career.
National Team Achievements
Semih Erden was a regular player for the Turkish national team. He represented his country in many important tournaments.
- He played in the 2005 U20 European Championships.
- In the 2006 U20 European Championships, he helped Turkey win a silver medal!
- He also played in the 2006 World Championship in Japan.
- In the 2007 European Championship, he continued to represent Turkey.
- One of his biggest achievements was winning a silver medal with the Turkish national team at the 2010 FIBA World Championship held in Turkey. This was a huge moment for Turkish basketball!
Personal Background
Semih Erden's family has roots from Bosniak people.
See also
- List of European basketball players in the United States