Team 2008-09: FENERBAHÇE ÜLKER (Turkey-TBL)
Career: Fenerbahçe Ülker (Turkey-TBL, 2005-06), Alpella (Turkey-TBL, 2006-07), Fenerbahçe Ülker (Turkey-TBL, 2007-09)
This defensive superstar is 2.12, has a wingspan of 2.24 and has feet so quick even guards envy him. Add in the natural timing instincts and you have the ultimate "paint guard". Aşık changes the game so much with his defense that it is almost hard to describe. The moment he sets foot on the court the opponent's game is repulsed to the three-point line, as nobody can get inside, even if they do they have to make awkward decisions. He was destined to be a superstar but last summer he tore his ACL and didn't play for six months. Considering he took up basketball at a relatively late age (16), the interval took its toll. His offensive game consists of only dunks but he is so agile that he is deadly on pick and rolls. But after the injury despite a full physical recovery, mental edge takes more time to come back. His timing is still off and he shies away from pushing his limits. Maybe not in Poland but Aşık will be the game changer everyone will talk about in the coming years.
