Emre Bayav

Emre Bayav — Biography

Emre Bayav, born in the Kurtuluş neighbourhood of Istanbul's Şişli district, is a big man who drew attention for the clutch three-pointers he hit despite standing 2.12 m tall. He played power forward and center and is regarded as one of Turkish basketball's best shot-blockers. He is the son of former national player Engin Bayav; he was in the national squad that took gold at the 2013 Mediterranean Games, and he last played in the Turkish Basketball Super League for Beşiktaş.

He began in the Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ) youth system, then went to Serbia and was part of Crvena zvezda, who won the Radivoj Korać Cup in that period. At 19 he returned to Turkey and signed with Efes Pilsen, turning professional in 2006. From Efes he was loaned to Pertevniyal, Pınar Karşıyaka, Darüşşafaka and Aliağa Petkim. In 2010 he rejoined Pınar Karşıyaka and extended his contract by a year in August 2011. In 2012-13 he moved to Erdemirspor, where he had a productive season, then went to Gaziantep Basketbol. His mid-season move to Darüşşafaka contributed greatly to the team winning the second-tier title; his deal was extended for another season and he finished 2014-15 with Darüşşafaka Doğuş. In July 2015 he transferred to Beşiktaş.

He played for Turkey's youth, junior, under-23 and senior national teams.