ORONO, Maine – The University of Maine men's basketball team has announced the addition of Turkish power forward Ata Turgut to the incoming class of 2019.
 
Ata Turgut | 6-9 | 220lbs | PF | Ankara, Turkey/Ted Ankara
 
Turgut, a native of Ankara, Turkey attended and played for Ted Ankara Kolejliler of the Basketbol Gençler Ligi since 2014. In 2018-19, Turgut averaged 7.3 points per game, while bringing down 4.3 rebounds and distributing 1.03 assists per game in the U-19 league. He shot 48.7 percent from the floor, and has showed the ability to shoot from long distance, draining nearly 30 percent of his attempts from the 3-point line.
 
Last season, he posted double-figures in 11 contests for Ted Ankara, including a 22-point performance against Tarsus Amerikan, where Turgot shot 6-of-9 from the floor, including 4-of-6 from long range. He converted 6-of-8 attempts from the free throw line, while also collecting five rebounds.
 
"We are very excited to welcome Ata to our Black Bear Family," said head coach Richard Barron of the newest Black Bear. "Ata brings with him a terrific skill set at the forward position with perimeter skills and post-up abilities. His versatility will give us flexibility on both ends of the floor. Ata has played at a very high level in Turkey and is currently playing on the Turkish U20 National Team. Additionally and equally important, Ata is an outstanding student who was drawn to our outstanding School of Engineering. Please help me in welcoming Ata to our team."
 
Turgut plans to major in mechanical engineering this fall. He joins forward Veljko Radaković and guards Peter Stümer and Ja'Shonté Wright-McLeish as the incoming class for the 2019-20 season.
 
The eligibility of all student-athletes is contingent upon admission to the University of Maine and compliance with all NCAA rules, including registration with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
 
-UMaine-