Avram Barokas

Avram Barokas — Biography

Avram Barokas was one of the centers of Turkish basketball in the 1940s and 1950s and later a well-known figure in Turkish horse racing. Born in Bakırköy and known by the nickname "Börek", he is remembered today through the Avram Barokas Derby, run every year.

He began at Beşiktaş and was promoted to the senior squad at 13. He moved from Beşiktaş to Beyoğluspor, where he played for many years and finished second in the Istanbul Men's Basketball League, and won the league with Galatasaray. He first wore the national shirt on 3 November 1946 against Greece and was capped 24 times. He was in Turkey's squads at EuroBasket 1949, the country's first, and at EuroBasket 1951. He ended his professional playing career in 1956, the year his daughter was born, and went on to coach several teams, notably Darüşşafaka.

After basketball he became first a horse owner and then a breeder at Veliefendi Racecourse. He was made a full member of the Jockey Club of Turkey in 1984, served on its boards at various times, and was among the founders of the Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association, set up in June 1988. He died in Istanbul on 4 July 2003, and a ceremony was also held for him at Veliefendi.