Ergin Ataman has signed a contract which will see him take the team to the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain, EuroBasket 2015 and the Rio Olympics.

Ataman is currently head coach of Galatasaray Liv Hospital, and led the team to their first BEKO Basketball League Championship in 23 years last season.

They currently lie fifth in the league this season.

Before his spell at Galatasary, Ataman coached a number of teams, including Beşiktaş, Efes Pilsen and Montepaschi Siena in Italy.

"I am honoured to accept the offer of TBF to be the head coach of the senior men's national team," Ataman said.

"I am going to give everything I have for the success of Turkish Basketball.

"My goal is to win each of the next three years' major international competitions."

The Turkish team won silver at the 2010 FIBA Basketball World Cup and have been given a wildcard for this summer's tournament ©AFP/Getty Images



Turkey won silver at the 2010 FIBA Basketball World Cup, which they hosted, losing 81-64 to the United States in the final in Istanbul.

They are due to begin their 2014 campaign, for which they have been given a wildcard, on August 30 against New Zealand, with their group also containing the United States, Dominican Republic, Finland and Ukraine.

Turkey failed to qualify for the men's competition at the London 2012 Olympics.

"Ergin Ataman is one of the most successful coaches in Europe, and I believe that for Turkish basketball this will mark the beginning of a new era of success," TBF President Turgay Demirel said.

"In our 2012–2016 Strategic Plan we identified winning medals at premiere international tournaments as an essential component of basketball success

"In appointing Ergin Ataman head coach of the national team we have taken an important step in our quest to return to the podium in Spain."

Ataman takes over from Orhun Ene, who was appointed head coach ahead of EuroBasket 2011.

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