When we look at the golden pages of Fenerbahçe Men’s Basketball history, we see that some names endure not just through statistics, but through an unbreakable bond they forged with the fans. Ekpe Udoh, who donned the yellow-and-navy jersey between 2015 and 2017, defending the paint like a fortress and weaving his “Minister of Defense” title with every block, is undoubtedly at the top of that list.
Udoh left a cultural mark on the streets of Istanbul with his book club, beyond just his dominant play on the court. Under the tutelage of Zeljko Obradovic, he pushed his mental and physical limits to become the EuroLeague’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) and served as one of the primary architects of Fenerbahçe’s unforgettable 2017 championship glory.
Now continuing his career as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks, the legendary figure joined Salon Tribünü as our guest. In this sincere conversation with our team members Erdi Tiran and Baran Arslan, Udoh opened up about those famous blocks in the Panathinaikos series, the championship journey with Obradovic, that historic night in the heart of Istanbul, and his deep-rooted love for the yellow-and-navy community.
We now invite you to this unique journey through the most magnificent eras of Fenerbahçe history, told in the words of Ekpe Udoh.
Welcome to our interview, dear Ekpe Udoh. We are truly honored to be speaking with someone who has left such a legendary mark on the history of Fenerbahçe basketball.
You were born on May 20, 1987. When we look back from your childhood to the year you joined Fenerbahçe, we see a vast journey: the first spark of your passion for basketball, your college years stretching from Edmond Santa Fe to Michigan and Baylor, and your selection as the 6th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. We also recall your brief adventure in Israel during the lockout, followed by your years in the NBA wearing the jerseys of Golden State, Milwaukee, and the Clippers.
With all this experience, you joined
Fenerbahçe for the 2015/16 season. It was a wonderful domestic season filled with league and cup championships, but it was also marked by a heartbreaking EuroLeague final against CSKA Moscow. Looking back at your first year in Istanbul, how do you reflect on that ‘unfinished business’? Specifically, what can you tell us about the semi-final against Baskonia and the final we lost to CSKA?
Great season for us even though we didn’t we didn’t win the championship. That year, we were healthy majority of the season and were able to hit our stride early on. Especially, after losing to Strasbourg in group play. The Final Four semi vs Baskonia, I don’t really remember but we victorious in OT. Very intense but that championship game had all the feels. Personally, coming off the bench was different for that game and then getting down big before halftime was tough but in the game of basketball, there will always be runs. That’s exactly what happened in the second half. We battled our way back behind Bobby’s performance and almost had a chance to pull it off until that tip in went in. In OT, we had a couple turnovers then the game got away from us. Memorable game and year!
Speaking of that season, the playoff series against Real Madrid—where you truly shone—is unforgettable. Can you describe that series and the incredible atmosphere in the stands during the first two games in Istanbul?
I do not know how we became rivals but it set up for an exciting playoff series. Led by Llull, they were primed to try and knock us off. We were clicking on all cylinders in that series from myself, to Bogi to Gigi and so on. Defensively, we were on point and it allowed us to gain advantages offensively.
In the 2016-2017 season, we won the EuroLeague trophy and then the Turkish League championship. Were there any specific moments on the road to the EuroLeague title that you will never forget?
Winning the Euroleague in Istanbul was the best memory I have from basketball. That weekend was also my 30th birthday weekend. I had a lot of family in town for the weekend and we had a great time!
One of the most critical stages was the Panathinaikos Play-Off series, where your performance is still fresh in everyone’s minds. Do you have a specific memory from before that series, and what was the atmosphere like during those first two games in Greece?
Now, this series was big fun! We didn’t have the best regular season but we managed to get healthy at the right time. We all knew inside the our team that once we got healthy, we would be fine. Coming into Greece as a 5 seed, we were confident. The atmosphere was electric and ripe for an upset. Bogi lead the way and we followed! My favorite moment came when I blocked two shots in one possession and swung my arm in the air! Very gratifying for me and the team.
We would love to hear about Zeljko Obradovic from your perspective. What can you tell us about him? What did he add to you as a person and to your game?
Coach Obradovic is one of the best coaches to ever do it regardless of sport or region. He had a knack from the small detail and if we weren’t meeting his expectations, well you know lol. I learned how important the small details were in the big picture. Even though our practices in stretches would get tough, he taught me how far I could push my mental and physical. He would always say “ You have to suffer in order to win” and that we did.
You left Fenerbahçe at the end of the 2016/17 season. The fans were heartbroken because they loved you so much and hoped you would stay. What can you tell us about that departure process?
Felt like it was time to give the NBA a try again. I had came overseas and we won everything . Almost back to back years but that’s what it came down to. Looking back, would things be differently, maybe but I’m proud of my decision.
After departing from Fenerbahçe, you played for the Utah Jazz for two seasons before moving to China to join the Beijing Ducks for the 2019-2020 season. Following that period, you played for Virtus Bologna and later for the Beijing Royal Fighters. Could you please tell us about those years?
After leaving the NBA, I went to play in China for two years then played in Italy where I suffered a season ending injury. My time in was okay but I was grateful to play with one of my rookie year teammates in Jeremy Lin. We got to grow our relationship on and off the court during that time. Also, got to see him grow as human because Linsanity is real and it took another leap in China. After those years, went to Italy, which started out to be strong. Opportunity to play with Milos and couple other familiar faces but in the first super cup game, I tore my patellar tendon on the same stickers I complained about when playing Wirth Fenerbahce. Funny how life works sometimes. After that, I couldn’t retire due to an injury, so rehabbed my way back and play for half a season in Japan. I enjoyed Japan the country more than anything else. During these stops, I was able to make amazing relationships that are strong to this day. I am grateful for it all.
Your retirement from professional basketball coincided with your appointment as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks. How did that transition happen?
During my time with the Clippers, coaching was something that I could see myself doing. For the first play of the game, I would stand with Coach Rivers and he would run through the play with me. From that moment on, I paid attention to everything the coaches I played for did. From language, to tone, x’s and o’s, etc. During my time with the Jazz, Coach Snyder was really impressive with his approach and similar in a sense to Obradovic. We all know it’s two diff games in comparison with the NBA and Euroleague but Q was dialed in on the details as well. I think we might have spoken about coaching briefly during my time there and then years later when he accepted the Hawks job, we talked and here I am a 3rd year Assistant Coach for the Atlanta Hawks.
You played with Bogdan Bogdanovic at Fenerbahçe; how did it feel to become his coach in Atlanta?
Life comes at you fast! it was great to team up with Bogi again even though the roles were reversed. It was fun seeing his growth from the time we played and I’m happy that I was able to share the court with him as a player and coach.
Returning to your Fenerbahçe years: you played with many great names over two seasons. Who were the teammates you enjoyed playing and spending time with the most?
Gigi Datome and Bobby Dixon were my favorites. Gigi looked out for me and would invite for over when his parents were into for dinner and holidays. Love them folks. Bobby was my road dawg and would go to war for him any day! Those connections would show themselves on the court as well. I think majority of my assistants went to Gigi. My guys!
During your time at Fenerbahçe, what was the most unforgettable game you played in, and what was the most interesting or memorable event you experienced off the court?
Of course it was the championship game in Istanbul and starting the game with a lob to Vesely! Craziest way to start a championship game.
During your time in Istanbul, you left a lasting cultural legacy beyond basketball with ‘Ekpe’s Book Club.’ What sparked the idea for a professional athlete to lead a literary community, and how did it feel to build a bond with the fans that transcended the basketball court?
Ekpesbookclub was started when I was in Milwaukee. I teamed up with Dan Smyczek who was the director of public relations for the Milwaukee Bucks. I wanted to come with a way to interact with fans in a different setting and we landed on the bookclub. The bookclub has came with me everywhere I have gone. It’s special to have a community everywhere I played and the memories we had. The bookclub is kind of active now but it is a struggle now that I am a coach. But anybody who ever participated in the bookclub, “Thank You”!
When you close your eyes and think of the games you played in a Fenerbahçe jersey, what is the very first moment that comes to your mind?
How much love the fans showed me and the team during my time! Thank you to all of the fans that supported then and now! It wouldn’t have been possible without you all!
If you had to summarize your career in just one word, what would it be?
Content
If Ekpe Udoh were coaching himself today, what would he tell himself to add to his game?
Be more confident and shoot more threes
How do you find Fenerbahçe Beko’s performance and journey so far this season?
A really good team with a chance to repeat and I hope they do!
Finally, what would you like to say to the Fenerbahçe fans reading this interview?
“ADAMSIN”
Salon Tribünü 