Basketball Player Ibrahim Kutluay Speaks

Can you introduce yourself?

I was born on the 7th of December, 1974. I’m a typical Sagittarius. My father, my mother and my sister Ozlem are the people I love most in this world. I believe that I’m an honest, charitable, tender person. Friendship has a special significance for me. I also like exercising hard, dressing nicely, eating and driving fast. Lying is the thing I hate most. How did you get into basketball?

I had loved football more than basketball in my childhood but I got taller day by day. I’ll never forget that I was 12 years old when my father Burhan Kutluay took me to the Fenerbahce Basketball School. I began basketball at this school.

What advice do you have for youth starting out in the sport?

First of all, they have to like basketball very much. Then, they must decide on a goal and work very hard in order to reach this goal. In addition to this, discipline, having a regular lifestyle and a regular diet are other key points to success.

Why have you chosen Ulkerspor?

I’m very happy at the fact that I have come back to Turkey and will play for Ulkerspor. I always prefer being in teams with big goals. Ulkerspor is a team playing in the Euro league, known all over Europe, aiming big not only in Turkey, but also in Europe. I feel very happy that Ulkerspor prefers me and I have chosen Ulkerspor. I also believe that we, as a team, will have great victories with under Ulker President Orhan Ozukur, General Manager Lutfi Arıbogan and the technical staff.

Can you sum-up your three years in Greece?

Turkey and Greece people are alike in terms of food, music, houses and their people. Therefore, I didn’t have any problems in Greece. I played for AEK for a year and two years for Panathinaikos. It was important, for my career, to play in Greece, having one of the toughest basketball leagues in Europe. I was awarded the "Best Foreign Basketballer" from Foreign Minister Papaandreu and I won the European Championship Cup with the team. These are great achievements for me. I believe that I had fruitful and positive years in Greece.

Which foods do you like most?

I like my mother’s food, especially foods made by wrapping grape or cabbage leaves round a bit of stuffing. I cannot find this anywhere else, so she had come to Athens from Istanbul many times to cook this meal. I can’t repay her for that.

What about holidays?

I like going on holiday very much but I don’t have much time for holidays. Bodrum and Turkbuku are two places I visit every summer.

Do you have any final words?

Thank you. There is no doubt that I and my teammates will have great victories.