İbrahim Kutluay

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = İbrahim Kutluay

| image = İbrahim Kutluay 20241101 (cropped).jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Kutluay in November 2024

| league = Turkish Super League

| team = Darüşşafaka

| position = Team manager

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 6

| weight_lbs = 200

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1974|12|7|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Yalova, Turkey

| nationality = Turkish

| draft_year = 1996

| career_start = 1993

| career_end = 2009

| career_position = Shooting guard / Small forward

| career_number = 10, 11, 12

| coach_start =

| coach_end =

| years1 = 1993–1999

| team1 = Fenerbahçe

| years2 = 1999–2000

| team2 = Efes Pilsen

| years3 = 2000–2001

| team3 = AEK Athens

| years4 = 2001–2003

| team4 = Panathinaikos

| years5 = 2003–2004

| team5 = Ülkerspor

| years6 = {{nbay|2004|full=y}}

| team6 = Seattle SuperSonics

| years7 = 2005

| team7 = Panathinaikos

| years8 = 2005–2006

| team8 = Ülkerspor

| years9 = 2006–2007

| team9 = Fenerbahçe

| years10 = 2007–2008

| team10 = PAOK

| years11 = 2008–2009

| team11 = İTÜ

| highlights = As player:

EuroLeague champion (2002)
FIBA EuroLeague Top Scorer (1999)
4× FIBA EuroStar (1996, 1998, 1999, 2007)
FIBA EuroStar 3 Point Contest Champion (1999)
2× Greek League champion (2003, 2005)
3× Greek Cup winner (2001, 2003, 2005)
Greek Cup Finals Top Scorer (2001)
Greek Cup Finals MVP (2001)
4× Greek League All-Star (2001–2003, 2005)
Greek All-Star Game MVP (2002)
Greek All-Star Game 3-Point Shootout Champion (2002)
2× Turkish League champion (2006, 2007)
Turkish Supercup winner (2005)
Turkish Cup winner (2004)
Turkish League Top Scorer (1999)
3× Turkish Super League All-Star (2004, 2006, 2007)

| bbr = kutluib01

| medal_templates = {{MedalCountry|{{bk|TUR}}}}

}}

İbrahim Kutluay (born 7 January 1974) is a former Turkish professional basketball player who has been a manager and pundit since his retirement. He played the shooting guard position,{{cite web |title=İbrahim Kutluay Biyografisi |url=https://www.haberler.com/ibrahim-kutluay/biyografisi/ |website=haberler.com |access-date=15 February 2020}} and in his prime, was one of the most prolific 3-point shooters worldwide.{{cite news |date=6 May 2019 |title=Legend: Ibrahim Kutluay, Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul |url=https://www.adidasngt.com/final-four/vitoria-gasteiz-2019/news/i/9mydqm3quicx3ndu/legend-ibrahim-kutluay-fenerbahce-beko-istanbul |access-date=12 February 2020 |work=www.adidasngt.com |agency=}} He scored a record 50 points at the 1996 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship against Italy,[https://web.archive.org/web/20140903112818/http://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/game/p/gid/6/grid/B/rid/1395/sid/2373/tid/376/_/1996_European_Championship_for_Men_22_and_Under_/statistic.html FIBA.com Game: ITALY vs TURKEY (Group B) Date: 1 July 1996.] and also 41 points in a EuroLeague game against Cibona Zagreb during the 1998–99 season.[http://www.fibaeurope.com/cid_KNce8jInH7Qj1EsyH5rjn2.gameID_1756-E-14-5.compID_,Uz02qBnJiADOq5VntEf53.season_1999.roundID_2570.html FIBAEurope.com KK Cibona VIP 85-84 Fenerbahçe SK Date: 10.02.1999, 18:00h] He was the first Turkish basketball player to win the EuroLeague championship, winning the 2002 EuroLeague Final Four with the Greek club Panathinaikos. Kutluay was the fourth Turk to play in the NBA.{{cite web |title=Basketbolda Türkiyeyi Gururlandıran Kişiler |url=http://www.sportiveturkiye.com/genel/basketbolda-turkiyeyi-gururlandiran-kisiler/ |website=sportiveturkiye.com |date=27 November 2018 |access-date=13 February 2020}} He is described as a 'stellar basketball player' whose 'legacy goes beyond his shooting skills, leadership, and incredible talent'.{{cite web |last1=Gancedo |first1=Javier |title=Final Four interview: Ibrahim Kutluay |url=https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/news/ |website=Euroleague.net |access-date=13 February 2020}} In addition to his professional career, he has also attracted interest as a high society figure due to his fame, wealth{{cite news |last1=Özgün |first1=Canan |date=2006-06-29 |title=Başka zevkim yok |url=http://www.milliyet.com.tr/otomobil/baska-zevkim-yok-539984 |access-date=12 February 2020 |agency=www.milliyet.com.tr}} and personal life{{cite news |last1=Çevik |first1=Emre |date=9 February 2020 |title=İbrahim Kutluay ilişkisi |url=https://www.sozcu.com.tr/hayatim/magazin-haberleri/ibrahim-kutluay-iliskisi-hakkinda-konustu/ |access-date=12 February 2020 |agency=www.sozcu.com.tr}} which has continuously been subjected to media scrutiny.{{cite news |date=2013-04-29 |title=İşte ünlülerin mal varlıkları |url=https://www.takvim.com.tr/galeri/saklambac/iste-unlulerin-mal-varliklari |access-date=12 February 2020 |agency=www.takvim.com.tr}}

Professional club career

=Fenerbahçe: 1992–1999=

Ibrahim Kutluay is a product of the Fenerbahçe. Initially set on becoming a football player, at the age of 13, he made a switch to basketball under the influence of his coaches and family, as it was evident that his growing height, physical attributes and skills would make him naturally disposed to succeed as a basketeer. He progressed through each single stage of the youth sector, and in 1992 was introduced to the A (principal) team of Fenerbahçe by Çetin Yılmaz.{{cite web |title=İbrahim Kutluay Röportaj |url=http://www.antu.com/AntuHaberOku.aspx?sayfa=2&ID=6709&KID=47 |website=antu.com}} In the 1994–1995 season, he made a breakthrough under Murat Didin and established himself as the best scorer of the team.{{cite web |title=İbrahim Kutluay Biyografisi |url=https://www.haberler.com/ibrahim-kutluay/biyografisi/ |website=haberler.com |access-date=15 February 2020}} He was the FIBA EuroLeague Top Scorer of the 1998–99 season, with an average of 21.4 points per game.{{cite web |title=İbrahim Kutluay Biyografisi |url=https://www.haberler.com/ibrahim-kutluay/biyografisi/ |website=haberler.com |access-date=15 February 2020}}

=Efes Pilsen: 1999–2000=

Kutluay had a successful career at Efes Pilsen with an overall record of 15.1 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.{{cite web |title=İbrahim Kutluay |url=http://www.nbatr.com/tbl-oyuncu-biyografileri/ibrahim-kutluay.html |website=nbatr.com |access-date=15 February 2020}}

=Greece and reaching the top of Europe=

It was in Greece that Kutluay reached the peak of his career. The move to AEK Athens was a very risky one due to the historically troubled relations between Turkey and Greece and at the time of Kutluay's transfer to the Greek club the relations were particularly strained.{{cite news |title=Ve İbrahim AEK'da |url=https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/ve-ibrahim-aekda-39163288 |access-date=15 February 2020 |agency=Hurriyet |date=23 June 2000}} Ibrahim did prove his worth and won the Greek Cup MVP, in 2001. Whilst playing for Panathinaikos he won the Euroleague in 2002. The final against Kinder Bologna was the game in which he rose to the occasion by displaying all of his great qualities; with 22 points he ended the game as the best scorer of his side.{{cite web |title=İbrahim Kutluay'ın Kariyerinin En Önemli 10 Maçı |url=https://www.eurohoops.net/tr/euroleague-tr/591853/ibrahim-kutluayin-kariyeriinin-en-onemli-10-maci/6/ |website=eurohoops.net/tr/euroleague-tr |date=11 January 2018 |access-date=15 February 2020}}

He later represented Ülkerspor, and İTÜ, in Turkey's BSL and PAOK in Greece's Basket League. He also played in the NBA, with the Seattle SuperSonics.

National team career

Kutluay was a member of the senior Turkish national basketball team. With Turkey, he won a silver medal at the 2001 EuroBasket. He also played at the following tournaments: the 1995 EuroBasket, the 1997 EuroBasket, the 1999 EuroBasket, the 2003 EuroBasket, the 2005 EuroBasket, the 2007 EuroBasket, the 2002 FIBA World Championship, and the 2006 FIBA World Championship.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140903113345/http://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/p/rpp//q/ibrahim%20kutluay/pid//_//players.html Ibrahim KUTLUAY (TUR) participated in 17 FIBA / FIBA Zones events.]

Player profile

As a 6-foot-6 guard, Kutluay was viewed as one of the best perimeter shooters.{{cite web |last1=Myhre |first1=Rich |title=Shooting help may come via Turkey |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/shooting-help-may-come-via-turkey/ |website=heraldnet.com |date=20 September 2004 |access-date=12 February 2020}} Together with Harun Erdenay, Kutluay is ranked amongst the best scorers Turkey has ever produced. Kutluay became the fourth Turkish player to play in NBA, yet he failed to make a success of his career in the US.{{cite web |title=TURKISH PLAYER IN NBA |url=http://www.alperworld.50megs.com/nba_turkish/html/Success.htm |website=alperworld.50megs.com |access-date=12 February 2020}} Kutluay has been praised for his mentality, leadership and modesty throughout his career.{{cite news |title=İbrahim Kutluay Biyografisi |url=https://www.haberler.com/ibrahim-kutluay/biyografisi/ |access-date=12 February 2020 |agency=haberler.com}}

Post-playing career

Kutluay began a career as a sports commentator, after he retired from playing basketball. In 2015, he joined the Turkish club Darüşşafaka, working as the club's manager.

Personal life and fame

=Partners=

Kutluay has also been a cynosure of public attention due to his personal life. His relationship with singer Demet Akalın was extensively covered by tabloids. The couple made a decision to formalise their ties with a marriage on 5 July 2001, but according to Akalın, because of Kutluay's last-minute change of mind, they separated. The survey, in which 16,000 respondents took place, conducted by the tabloid Radikal suggests that Kutluay-Akalın couple is remembered the most 'unforgettable duo' of Turkish high-society life.{{cite news |last1=Alkaya |first1=Oktay Volkan |title=Yurdum insanının unutamadığı çift: Demet ve İbrahim |url=http://www.radikal.com.tr/radikalist/yurdum-insaninin-unutamadigi-cift-demet-ve-ibrahim-1492210/ |access-date=17 February 2020 |agency=Radikal |date=14 December 2015}}

Kutluay's marriage with another model Demet Şener, in which then Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan acted as a witness, was the key event of the Turkish high society life in 2005.{{cite news |title=İbrahim Kutluay-Demet Şener evlendi |url=https://www.cnnturk.com/2005/yasam/diger/07/15/ibrahim.kutluay.demet.sener.evlendi/111355.0/index.html |access-date=17 February 2020 |agency=CNN Turk |date=16 July 2005}} The couple divorced in 2018, and Kutluay has since been in an open relationship with a society beauty Edvina Sponza.{{cite news |last1=Durmaz |first1=Sayit |title=İbrahim Kutluay ve Edwina Sponza gecelerde |url=https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/kelebek/magazin/ibrahim-kutluay-ve-edvina-sponza-gecelerde-41387412 |access-date=12 February 2020 |agency=huriyyet.com.tr |date=2019-02-12}}

Kutluay and Edwina Sponza have been regularly seen in high-end restaurants and clubs together.{{cite web |title=Edwina Sponza ile İbrahim Kutluay kural bozdu! Ünlü çift el ele görüntü verdi |url=https://www.takvim.com.tr/magazin/2020/02/08/edwina-sponza-ile-ibrahim-kutluay-kural-bozdu-unlu-cift-el-ele-goruntu-verdi |website=takvim.com.tr |access-date=13 February 2020}} Ibrahim did attend her father's funeral and was seen supporting her girlfriend at the time of grief.{{cite news |date=11 May 2020 |title=İbrahim Kutluay, Edwina Sponza'yı babasının cenazesinde yalnız bırakmadı |url=https://www.milliyet.com.tr/cadde/ibrahim-kutluay-edwina-sponzayi-babasinin-cenazesinde-yalniz-birakmadi-6072629 |access-date=12 February 2020 |agency=www.milliyet.com.tr}} In January 2020, the couple were seen jogging together.{{cite news |last1=Boy |first1=Deniz |date=2020-01-18 |title=İbrahim Kutluay ve Edvina Sponza sabah sporunda |url=https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/galeri-ibrahim-kutluay-ve-edvina-sponza-sabah-sporunda-41422661 |access-date=12 February 2020 |agency=www.hurriyet.com.tr}} Demet Şener criticised Kutluay's late behavior towards her and has given interviews to media explaining her reasons for ending their marriage, but she also praised her former husband as a good father to their children, namely Irem and Ömer.{{cite news |last1=Boy |first1=Deniz |date=2019-12-24 |title=İbrahim Kutluay çocukları İrem ve Ömer'le buluştu |url=https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/galeri-ibrahim-kutluay-cocuklari-irem-ve-omerle-bulustu-41404468 |access-date=12 February 2020 |agency=www.hurriyet.com.tr}}{{cite news |title=Demet Şener: Gördüklerimden sonra üç gün kustum! |url=https://www.cnnturk.com/magazin/demet-sener-gorduklerimden-sonra-uc-gun-kustum |access-date=17 February 2020 |agency=CNN Turk |date=29 November 2017}}

=Lifestyle=

In his interviews, Kutluay mentioned his adherence to healthy routine. He drinks very little, only socially once in a while, and does not have any toxic habits. Despite having retired from the game, Kutluay exercises regularly and keeps his form in a highly disciplined manner. He is also distinguished for his impeccable style and taste.{{cite news |date=2009-12-27 |title=İbrahim Kutluay'ın başarısının sırrı |url=http://spor.haber7.com/spor/haber/466290-ibrahim-kutluayin-basarisinin-sirri |access-date=12 February 2020 |agency=spor.haber7.com}} Kutluay is a celebrated and passionate car fan and has had many glamorous sport cars in his possession.{{cite news |date=2005-04-27 |title=Dev adamlar Ferrari ve Porsche kullanmak istiyor ama sığmıyor |url=https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/kelebek/dev-adamlar-ferrari-ve-porsche-kullanmak-istiyor-ama-sigmiyor-314652 |access-date=12 February 2020 |agency=www.hurriyet.com.tr}} Yet due to his height (198 cm), he is reported to have found himself unable to fit into stylish vehicles,{{cite news |last1=YILMAZ |first1=MESUT |date=3 September 2018 |title=Arabaya zor sığdı |url=https://www.milliyet.com.tr/cadde/arabaya-zor-sigdi-2735497 |access-date=12 February 2020 |agency=www.milliyet.com.tr}} thus he has been compelled to order specially designed cars to meet his size-related demands.{{cite news |title=Başka zevkim yok |url=https://www.milliyet.com.tr/otomobil/baska-zevkim-yok-539984 |website=www.milliyet.com. |date=2006-06-29}}

Titles and medals won

=Pro clubs=

{{Flag icon|GRE}} AEK Athens (2000–01)
16px Greek Cup: 2001
{{Flag icon|GRE}} Panathinaikos (2001–03)
16px EuroLeague: 2002
16px Greek League: 2003
16px Greek Cup: 2003
{{Flag icon|TUR}} Ülkerspor (2003–04)
16px Turkish Cup: 2004
{{Flag icon|GRE}} Panathinaikos (2005)
16px Greek League: 2005
16px Greek Cup: 2005
{{Flag icon|TUR}} Ülkerspor (2005–06)
16px Turkish League: 2006
16px Turkish Super Cup: 2005
{{Flag icon|TUR}} Fenerbahçe (2006–07)
16px Turkish League: 2007

=Turkish senior national team=

{{flagicon|Turkey}} National Team
EuroBasket 2001: {{silver medal}}

Individual awards and accomplishments

=Pro career=

1996: FIBA EuroStar, Istanbul.
1998: FIBA EuroStar, Berlin.
1998–99: FIBA EuroLeague Top Scorer, with a 21.4 scoring average, with Fenerbahçe.
1998–99: Turkish League Top Scorer, with Fenerbahçe.
1999: FIBA EuroStar, Moscow.
1999: FIBA EuroStar 3 Point Contest Champion, Moscow.
1999–2000: Third place in 2000 EuroLeague Final Four, with Efes Pilsen.
2001: Semifinalist in EuroLeague with AEK Athens.
2001: Greek Cup title, with AEK Athens. Voted MVP.
2002: EuroLeague title, with Panathinaikos.
2003: Greek League title, with Panathinaikos.
2005: Third place in 2005 EuroLeague Final Four, with Panathinaikos.
2005: Greek League title, with Panathinaikos.
2005: Greek Cup title, with Panathinaikos.
2005: Turkish President's Cup, with Ülker Istanbul.
2007: FIBA EuroStar, Athens.

References

External links

{{Basketballstats |nba= 2825 |bbr= k/kutluib01 }}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20140903113345/http://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/p/rpp//q/ibrahim%20kutluay/pid//_//players.html FIBA Archive Profile]
[http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?clubcode=ulk&pcode=ABI#!careerstats Euroleague.net Profile]
[http://www.fibaeurope.com/cid_KNce8jInH7Qj1EsyH5rjn2.playerID_8139.compID_,Uz02qBnJiADOq5VntEf53.season_2000.roundID_2571.teamID_1338.html FIBA EuroLeague Profile]
[https://www.tblstat.net/player/397 TBLStat.net Profile]

{{Navboxes|list1=

{{Navboxes

|title= Turkish squads

|bg = #e30a17

|fg = white

|list1=

}}

Category:1974 births

Category:Living people

Category:2002 FIBA World Championship players

Category:2006 FIBA World Championship players

Category:AEK B.C. players