NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen’s Women’s Basketball Worldwide) - As the high fives are handed out in Turkey for a 'full-house' of teams in the EuroCup Women Semi-Finals, there’s a cloud to that silver lining.

First, I want to state it loud and clearly - it is a remarkable tick in the box for the quality of the KBSL and underlines how Turkey continues to have one of the best women’s leagues not only in Europe, but in the world.

But as the likes of Turkish Federation President, Hidayet Turkoglu tweeted his pride at the accomplishment – is it truly a cause to celebrate?

It is an interesting question.

I love women’s basketball in Turkey as it is more competitive from top to bottom than any other league in the world outside of the WNBA. But, there is no getting away from the fact it is largely dominated by non-Turkish players.

I was impressed by the way that everyone connected with the KBSL was flooding onto social media and showing nice unity to rejoice in this achievement.

But, as I watched the posts popping up on my phone on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, I wondered what Turkey national team head coach Ekrem Memnun made of it all.

After the draw for FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017, Memnun expressed his desire and indeed the necessity to have Turkish players as leaders on the top teams – although rightly said it needed to be on merit.

But, take a look at those four teams who have made it to the EuroCup Women Semi-Finals and you can count on one hand how many Turkish players are excelling. Literally – 48 players on those rosters and you only need a few fingers.

That is a concern – it must be. Not just now in this important new Olympic cycle, but especially for the future - if this trend continues.

I thought the situation was underlined inadvertently by Bellona Agu head coach, Ayhan Avci [who ironically coaches Turkey youth national teams] when he spoke in last week's media conference.

He said, "We have players who needed to take a rest, so we gave a lot of chances for the Turkish players. I think they used their chance very well."

It referred to how more Turkish bench players were used when the Quarter-Finals tie was already won against BLMA [Agu won the first leg by 20]. Take note that I do get it! Agu have three WNBA Champions on their roster so it is tough for the domestic players. I understand.

But, there is no hiding from the facts of a lack of Turkish players in the top five for minutes in EuroCup Women. Just 3 of those 20 are non-naturalized Turkish players.

Galatasaray – Isil Alben

Yakin Dogu Universitesi – Bahar Caglar and Quanitra Hollingsworth [naturalized]

Bellona Agu – Lara Sanders [naturalized], Aysegul Gunay

Hatay – Bahar Ozturk [naturalized]

There are positive exceptions such as Caglar, who has looked rejuvenated after moving to Yakin Dogu Universitesi from her comfort zone at Galatasaray and it’s good to see Aysegul playing so prominently for Agu.

Just to reiterate, it is not a criticism. I do admire the Turkish League and having four teams in the EuroCup Women Semi-Finals is an admirable accomplishment.

But it does provide a major conundrum for the Turkish Federation, and one that seems to be getting more and more difficult to solve.

Young Turkish players need to see success in Europe, but need more homegrown role models – a difficult balance!

Paul Nilsen

FIBA

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