İbrahim Kutluay


İbrahim Kutluay is a former Turkish professional basketball player who has been a manager and pundit since his retirement. He played the shooting guard position, and in his prime, was one of the most prolific 3-point shooters worldwide. He scored a record 50 points at the 1996 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship against Italy, and also 41 points in a EuroLeague game against Cibona Zagreb during the 1998–99 season. He was the first Turkish basketball player to win the EuroLeague championship, winning the 2002 EuroLeague Final Four with the Greek club Panathinaikos. Kutluay was the fourth Turk to play in the NBA. He is described as a 'stellar basketball player' whose 'legacy goes beyond his shooting skills, leadership and incredible talent'. In addition to his professional career, he has also attracted interest as a high society figure due to his fame and wealth and personal life which has continuously been subjected to media scrutiny.

Professional club career

Fenerbahçe: 1992-1999

is a product of the Fenerbahçe. Initially set on becoming a football player, at the age of 13, he made a switch to basketball under the influence of his coaches and family, as it was evident that his growing height, physical attributes and skills would make him naturally disposed to succeed as a basketeer. He progressed through each single stage of the youth sector, and in 1992 was introduced to the A team of Fenerbahçe by Çetin Yılmaz. In the 1994–1995 season, he made a breakthrough under Murat Didin and established himself as the best scorer of the team. He was the FIBA EuroLeague Top Scorer of the 1998–99 season, with an average of 21.4 points per game.

Efes Pilsen: 1999-2000

Kutluay had a successful career at Efes Pilsen with an overall record of 15.1 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.

Greece and reaching the top of Europe

It was in Greece that Kutluay reached the peak of his career. The move to AEK Athens was a very risky one due to the historically troubled relations between Turkey and Greece and at the time of Kutluay's transfer to the Greek club the relations were particularly strained. Ibrahim did prove his worth and won the Greek Cup MVP, in 2001. Whilst playing for Panathinaikos he won the Euroleague in 2002. The final against Kinder Bologna was the game in which he rose to the occasion by displaying all of his great qualities; with 22 points he ended the game as the best scorer of his side.
He later represented Ülkerspor, and İTÜ, in Turkey's BSL and PAOK in Greece's Basket League. He also played in the NBA, with the Seattle SuperSonics.

National team career

Kutluay was a member of the senior Turkish national basketball team. With Turkey, he won a silver medal at the 2001 EuroBasket. He also played at the following tournaments: the 1995 EuroBasket, the 1997 EuroBasket, the 1999 EuroBasket, the 2003 EuroBasket, the 2005 EuroBasket, the 2007 EuroBasket, the 2002 FIBA World Championship, and the 2006 FIBA World Championship.

Player profile

As a 6-foot-6 guard, Kutluay was viewed as one of the best perimeter shooters. Together with Harun Erdenay, Kutluay is ranked amongst the best scorers Turkey has ever produced. Kutluay became the fourth Turkish player to play in NBA, yet he failed to make a success of his career in the US. Kutluay has been praised for his mentality, leadership and modesty throughout his career.

Post-playing career

Kutluay began a career as a sports commentator, after he retired from playing basketball. In 2015, he joined the Turkish club Darüşşafaka, working as the club's manager.

Personal life and fame

Relationship with Demet Akalın

Kutluay has also been a cynosure of public attention due to his personal life. His relationship with model Demet Akalın was extensively covered by tabloids. The couple made a decision to formalise their ties with a marriage on 5 July 2001, but according to Akalın, because of Kutluay's last-minute change of mind, they separated. The survey, in which 16.000 respondents took place, conducted by the tabloid Radical suggests that Kutluay-Akalın couple is remembered the most 'unforgettable duo' of Turkish high-society life.

Marriage with Demet Şener

Kutluay's marriage with another model Demet Şener, in which then Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan acted as a witness, was the key event of the Turkish high society life in 2005. The couple divorced in 2018, and Kutluay has since been in an open relationship with a society beauty Edvina Sponza.

Edwina Sponza

Kutluay and Sponza have been regularly seen in high-end restaurants and clubs together. Ibrahim did attend her father's funeral and was seen supporting her girlfriend at the time of grief. In January 2020, the couple were seen jogging together. Demet Şener criticised Kutluay's late behavior towards her and has given interviews to media explaining her reasons for ending their marriage, but she also praised her former husband as a good father to their children, namely Irem and Ömer.

Lifestyle

In his interviews, Kutluay mentioned his adherence to healthy routine. He drinks very little, only socially once in a while, and does not have any toxic habits. Despite having retired from the game, Kutluay exercises regularly and keeps his form in a highly disciplined manner. He is also distinguished for his impeccable style and taste. Kutluay is a celebrated and passionate car fan and has had many glamorous sport cars in his possession. Yet due to his height, he is reported to have found himself unable to fit into stylish vehicles, thus he has been compelled to order specially designed cars to meet his size-related demands.

Titles and medals won

Pro clubs

Pro career