Efes coach carries EuroLeague trophy to veteran coach

ISTANBUL

Ergin Ataman, the head coach of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champions Anadolu Efes, made a gesture of respect to 73-year-old legendary basketball coach Aydın Örs by carrying the trophy to his house on June 2.

“He is like an elder brother or a father to me. I kept my promise. Before the Final Four, I promised him the trophy. Now I brought it to him,” Ataman told reporters at a meeting.

Örs was the head coach of Anadolu Efes in 1996 when the team won the FIBA Korac Cup, the first-ever European-wide title won by a Turkish club in any team sport, while Ataman was his associate.

Thanking Ataman for his kind gesture, Örs said: “I already know about his loyalty towards me. But coming here with the trophy made me so proud.”

“Örs is a blessing to Turkish basketball. I’ll be happier if I made him happy,” Ataman said.

Örs trained Anadolu Efes, Fenerbahçe and the Turkish national team during his career.