LOS ANGELES, USA - Turkish player Hedo Turkoglu, who played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association and 8 with the Orlando Magic, announced his retirement on Friday.
Turkoglu, of Gaziosmanpasa in Istabul, Turkey, will be honored by the Magic during a special ceremony on December 18, when Orlando hosts Portland.
"I am very thankful and grateful for the opportunity to live out my dream and play in the NBA," Turkoglu said.
The 6-foot-10 Turkoglu played in 497 regular-season games (412 starts) with Orlando from 2004-09 and 2010-13, averaging 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 32.7 minutes per game.
Turkoglu was originally selected by Sacramento in the first round (16th overall) of the 2000 NBA entry draft. He was named to the All-Rookie second team the following year and named the NBA's Most Improved Player of 2008. – Rappler.com