ISTANBUL (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017) – Turkey have cast their net wide after announcing a 23-strong preliminary squad for the FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 Final Round this summer.

Head coach Ekrem Memnun has seemingly thrown down a pathway for a number of younger players to take over the baton from the likes of the legendary Nevriye Yilmaz and another Rio Olympian in Sebnem Kimyacioglu who have both retired from the game.

Turkey 23-player squad for FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 Final Round

That has left the door ajar for a number of new faces to push their case, with a notable eight players from the team that got Turkey onto the podium at the FIBA U20 European Championship Women for the first time five years ago.

With Olcay Cakir Turgut, Aysegul Gunay and Ayse Cora already reasonably established in the senior set-up, they have been joined in the wider squad by the likes of Pelin Bilgic, Merve Aydin, Elif Emirtekin and Ozge Kavurmacioglu.

However, Turkey's hopes will still be carried by the regular spine of the team - starting with the experienced and familiar backcourt duo of Isil Alben and Birsel Vardarli Demirmen. Meanwhile, veteran Saziye Ivegin Uner will continue on the wings with the versatile Bahar Caglar.

The biggest decision for Coach Memnun will be a one he has had to wrestle with previously, with Lara Sanders and Quanitra Hollingsworth fighting it out to take the all-important naturalized slot. A choice which is even more critical than ever, in the wake of the departure of Yilmaz which has left a void under the basket.

Turkey will tussle with Belarus, Italy and Slovak Republic in Group B.

FIBA