Turkish League increases foreign players limit from 5 to 7

By Eurohoops team / [email protected]

Turkish BSL League teams will be able to register seven foreign (non-Turkish passport holders) players in each game starting from the 2024-25 season instead of five, the Turkish Basketball Federation announced.

Until the current season, teams could have five foreign players on their game roster and use them simultaneously in a match. In the next season, that number increases to seven players but just four of them will be able to participate in the game as at least one Turkish player must be present on the floor.

The Play-In knockout format will also be introduced with the teams that finish 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th in the regular season participating in the tournament.

“As a result of regular negotiations with our clubs over the past year, we have carried out various studies to make joint decisions in order to train athletes who are more experienced, self-confident and able to use initiative for our national team,” commented Turkish Federation president Hedo Turkoglu.

“I hope that this decision taken for the development of Turkish basketball and the success of the national team will be beneficial,” he added. “I believe that with the results of the new foreign players rule, our athletes will make the most of the opportunities given to them and make great efforts to maximize their performance. Additionally, I think it will be important for athlete managers to direct basketball players to teams where they can get more time and responsibility.”