Allen Iverson Joins Beşiktaş
01.11.2010 17:03
Beşiktaş Cola Turka has signed NBA star Allen Iverson to a two-year contract in New York City.
Club Chairman Yıldırım Demirören, who was attending the signing ceremony together with Executive Board Member Şeref Yalçın, said, “The negotiations with Mr. Iverson have been going on for quite sometime. I came here to sort out the final details. He is definitely the most decorated NBA player ever to play in Turkey. Just as we’ve done in soccer, we are bringing in prominent players to boost our basketball team. I hope this contract will be wonderful for both sides. I thank everyone involved in this historic deal.”
The ceremony attracted wide press coverage including CNN, New York Times, Washington Post, Reuters and ESPN. Dozens of Turkish Media members took photos while Turkish music pounded inside the small ballroom of St. Regis Hotel in Manhattan.
Wearing a black and white baseball cap, Iverson said: “I wanted to show everybody I could still play at a high level, so I thought Beşiktaş was the best suited club for me to prove it. The NBA has been great for me, I made a ton of money; I can take care of my family for the rest of my life and the rest of their life. Who knows if I ever will play in the NBA again? My positive performance there may entice some NBA clubs in the future, but we’ll have to wait and see. For now, I am anxious to join my new teammates and help them win some games. I feel like it’s a fresh start for me, and I thank these guys for giving me a chance to get back on tract with my basketball career.
When asked if he ever had any concerns about playing so far away from home, “Few years ago, I wouldn’t even dream of going overseas for my career. But the desire and willingness of the Turks left me with no other choice but accept their offer. I think I am going to have a great time over there too,” replied the NBA star.
01.11.2010 17:03
Beşiktaş Cola Turka has signed NBA star Allen Iverson to a two-year contract in New York City.
Club Chairman Yıldırım Demirören, who was attending the signing ceremony together with Executive Board Member Şeref Yalçın, said, “The negotiations with Mr. Iverson have been going on for quite sometime. I came here to sort out the final details. He is definitely the most decorated NBA player ever to play in Turkey. Just as we’ve done in soccer, we are bringing in prominent players to boost our basketball team. I hope this contract will be wonderful for both sides. I thank everyone involved in this historic deal.”
The ceremony attracted wide press coverage including CNN, New York Times, Washington Post, Reuters and ESPN. Dozens of Turkish Media members took photos while Turkish music pounded inside the small ballroom of St. Regis Hotel in Manhattan.
Wearing a black and white baseball cap, Iverson said: “I wanted to show everybody I could still play at a high level, so I thought Beşiktaş was the best suited club for me to prove it. The NBA has been great for me, I made a ton of money; I can take care of my family for the rest of my life and the rest of their life. Who knows if I ever will play in the NBA again? My positive performance there may entice some NBA clubs in the future, but we’ll have to wait and see. For now, I am anxious to join my new teammates and help them win some games. I feel like it’s a fresh start for me, and I thank these guys for giving me a chance to get back on tract with my basketball career.
When asked if he ever had any concerns about playing so far away from home, “Few years ago, I wouldn’t even dream of going overseas for my career. But the desire and willingness of the Turks left me with no other choice but accept their offer. I think I am going to have a great time over there too,” replied the NBA star.