Turhan Tezol

Turhan Tezol

Personal information
Born	August 9, 1932 İstanbul, Turkey
Died	Izmir, Turkey
Nationality	Turkish

Turhan Tezol (August 9, 1932 – April 27, 2014) was a Turkish basketball player, who competed in the 1952 Summer Olympics.

Turhan Tezol was born to Mehmet Şükrü, an immigrant from Kavala, (then Ottoman Empire), and his wife Zeliha at Istanbul on August 9, 1932. He had four brothers, Alaettin, Tayyar, Erdoğan and Ayhan, as well as two sisters İnal and Mualla (Kuşçu).

Tezol began his playing career at the local team Modaspor. He enjoyed three times Turkish Basketball League championship title with his club. he left Modaspor, and moved to Izmir joining the basketball side of Altınordu. After retiring from active sports, he served as executive at the Izmir-based clubs Altay, Göztepe and Altınordu. Tezol worked also for the Turkish Basketball Federation.

At the age of 19, he was called up to the Turkey juniors national team. Later, he became member of the Turkey national team, taking part at the 1952 Summer Olympic in Helsinki, Finland, and three times at FIBA EuroBasket in 1955, 1957 and 1959. He capped 71 times in total for the national team, and served also as captain.

He is remembered for his capacity in dribbling technique.

Turhan Tezol suffered from pancreatic cancer,and was treated a long time. He died following surgeries on April 27, 2014 Izmir. He was survived by his wife Nesrin (née Gündoğdu), two sons, Erhan and Ersin, and five grandchildren.