Mert Shumpert

Mert Shumpert — Biography

Mert Shumpert is a retired American-born basketball player, a 1.98 m wing who played in Turkey for Beşiktaş, Efes Pilsen and Galatasaray and became a Turkish citizen while at Galatasaray. Born Preston Anthony Shumpert, he took the name Mert in December 2010, when his citizenship came through, and was known in Turkey by that name. Starting out as one of Syracuse University's leading scorers, he took his career through France, Italy and Turkey and ended it in 2013.

The first phase of his career was at college. In his junior year he became a starter, averaged 19.5 points and was named the Big East's Most Improved Player; as a senior he passed 30 points seven times. He was twice named to the All-Big East first team. Passed over in the NBA draft, he went to Europe: Besançon in France in 2002-03, then Livorno, Milan, Bologna and Treviso in Italy. While at Livorno he took part in the 2005 Italian All Star Game, and at Treviso he started 22 games and helped the team win the Italian Cup.

His Turkish chapter began in 2007-08 at Beşiktaş, at the request of coach Ergin Ataman. After a productive season in both the Turkish league and the ULEB Cup, he followed Ataman to Efes Pilsen. He signed with Galatasaray for 2010-11 and moved to Aliağa Petkim ahead of 2012-13.