Ersan Ilyasova

Ersan Ilyasova, born on May 15, 1987, in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, is a Turkish former professional basketball player who gained prominence for his versatile play as a power forward and occasional center. His professional career began in Turkey, first with Yeşilyurt in the second-division league during the 2003–04 season, and then with Ülkerspor in the Turkish Basketball League for the 2004–05 season. These early professional experiences laid the groundwork for his eventual transition to the National Basketball Association.

Ilyasova’s NBA journey started when he was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks as the 36th overall pick in the 2005 NBA draft. He spent 13 seasons in the NBA, with a significant portion of his career, nine seasons, being with the Milwaukee Bucks across several stints. Beyond the NBA, Ilyasova also played for FC Barcelona in Spain and Anadolu Efes in Turkey, showcasing his talent in international leagues. His career is marked by consistent performance in scoring and rebounding, with career averages of 10.1 points per game and 5.6 rebounds per game in the NBA regular season. He was recognized for his potential early on, being named the MVP of the 2006 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship after leading Turkey’s junior national team to a silver medal.

Throughout his career, Ilyasova demonstrated adaptability, playing for various NBA teams including the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers (twice), Atlanta Hawks (twice), and Utah Jazz. He achieved significant individual milestones, such as setting career highs of 34 points against the Indiana Pacers in 2015 and 25 rebounds against the New Jersey Nets in 2012, a rare feat in Bucks franchise history. His international representation for the Turkish national basketball team included participation in the FIBA World Championship and multiple EuroBasket tournaments, contributing to Turkey’s silver medal win at the 2010 FIBA World Championship.