Mirsad Jahović Türkcan
Born Mirsad Jahović in Novi Pazar (Sandžak), brother of pop star Emina Jahović. Moved to Turkey to join Efes Pilsen. Drafted into the NBA in 1998 by the Houston Rockets, making him the first Turkish citizen to compete in the NBA (with New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks).
Dominated the EuroLeague with CSKA Moscow, Montepaschi Siena, and Fenerbahçe, becoming a designated EuroLeague Basketball Legend.
Why they matter
Pioneer who opened the NBA pathway for Turkish and Balkan players.
Key achievements
- ◆Designated official EuroLeague Basketball Legend
- ◆First Turkish passport holder to play in the NBA (1998)
- ◆EuroLeague Regular Season MVP (2002)
- ◆Jersey retired by Fenerbahçe Istanbul
Origin and lineage
Born into the Jahović family of Novi Pazar, maintaining strong community bonds in Sandžak and Istanbul.
Sources and verification
Profile checked 2026-09-11. Quotes, videos and stock portraits from the draft were removed; ancestry claims that the source does not support are stated as contested.