Career: Fenerbahçe (Turkey-Div. 1, 1999-2000), NCAA (2000-02), Pivovarna Lasko (Slovenia Division 1, 2002-03), Efes Pilsen (Turkey-Div. 1, 2003-…).

Originally Albanian, Kurtoglu's real surname is Kuqo. His father and grandfather are basketball idols in his home country Albania. Kuqo came to Turkey when he was 15 and he took Turkish citizenship and developed his career. But facing a choice of National Teams he chose Turkey. And man is Turkey glad he did. In the past three seasons, Kuqo has developed into a monster under the basket. Although he is a little bit undersized for the center position he makes up for it with his uncanny instincts and great fundamentals on the low block. He also has a decent three-point shot which can surprise opponents. His back-to-the-basket game improved greatly last season with an array of different finishing techniques. But he is still a below average rebounder. He was tested positive for a banned substance during EuroBasket 2005 but the committee decided that it was just an innocent mistake and no performance enhancing drug was involved, and Kurtoglu only got the minimum ban of 6 months. But during his time off he worked out twice as hard as anybody else. Just what you'd expect from this blue collar worker.