Launched by the Turkish Basketball Federation in cooperation with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of National Education, İstanbul TBF Basketball Sports High School has begun the academic year with an opening ceremony. Expected to shape the future of Turkish basketball, the project will provide young athletes with a holistic education both academically and athletically.
The opening ceremony of İstanbul TBF Basketball Sports High School was attended by Turkish Basketball Federation President Hidayet Türkoğlu and TBF Board Member Dr. Yılmaz Argüden. Located within the Basketball Development Center, the school stands out with a special curriculum that combines sports with scientific methods.
School Principal Turgay Nail Bezek shared information about admissions, noting that approximately 300 students applied for the 2025–2026 academic year. Following talent tests and evaluations, a total of 48 students—24 girls and 24 boys—were admitted. In addition to the Ministry of National Education’s Sports High Schools’ 43-hour weekly curriculum, students will follow a four-year intensive program with specialized courses covering all aspects of basketball.
Türkoğlu: “A Historic Step for Turkish Basketball”
Speaking at the opening ceremony, TBF President Hidayet Türkoğlu highlighted the project’s significance for Turkish basketball: “İstanbul TBF Basketball Sports High School is a historic step for Turkish basketball. With this long-awaited project, we are providing our youth with the best possible conditions both academically and athletically. This school will not only train players but also the coaches, managers, and basketball professionals of the future. For the sustainable success of Turkish basketball, the greatest investment we can make is in our youth. The Basketball Sports High School is one of the most valuable investments in our history, ensuring that the proud achievements of our National Team in the European Championship are carried forward by future generations.”
TBF Board Member Dr. Yılmaz Argüden emphasized the importance of athletes’ academic development: “It is extremely important for an athlete to grow not only in sports but also academically. Athletes become role models in society, and these role models can guide the community through exemplary behavior and by developing themselves in every way. For this reason, while we strive to achieve sporting excellence as a federation, we have also made it a priority to strengthen the educational dimension.”
