He was one of the most unforgettable figures of the years when Fenerbahçe basketball underwent a fundamental transformation—a period when grit and physical toughness became the team’s core identity. Gašper Vidmar, one of the most significant big men produced by Slovenia, became a fan favorite through his warrior spirit in the paint and his gentlemanly persona off the court. After many years, he joined Salon Tribünü as our guest.
Having donned the yellow-and-navy jersey as a young prospect in 2007, Vidmar went on to achieve numerous successes. We took a journey down memory lane with Vidmar, who evolved under the tutelage of the legendary Bogdan Tanjević and played key roles within Željko Obradović’s system. We discussed everything: from the chaotic, sold-out atmosphere of Abdi İpekçi to the modern hardwood of the Ülker Arena; and from the unforgettable final series against Efes to Fenerbahçe’s rise as a EuroLeague giant.
The Slovenian giant, who says that Fenerbahçe fans still make him feel like “part of the family” when he encounters them on the street today, spoke with total sincerity to our team members Erdi Tiran and Baran Arslan. He opened up about his difficult days struggling with injuries, his special bond with Obradović, and the club’s journey to the pinnacle of European basketball.
We now leave you with the heartfelt answers of a true professional and “family member” who has etched his name in golden letters into Fenerbahçe history.
We would like to express our gratitude to our esteemed elder, Ümit Avcı, for his unwavering support during the preparation of this interview, as he has always stood by us.
You were born in Slovenia on September 14, 1987. Could you tell us about your childhood and how your basketball journey first began?
I’m comming from basketball family. My brother and father played basketball. Father played for a lot of teams in Yugoslavia and he also played for youth national team. So thats how i got to know basketball and i liked it immediatly.
Growing up, who were the players you looked up to? Who were your idols?
I’m very competitive person. So for sure at the beginning first goal was to beat brother and father. I never had a idol but i allways like to watch european basketball.
You started your professional career in 2003 with Janče STZ and moved to Geoplin Slovan in 2005. After averaging 5.6 points and 2.7 rebounds in your first season, you made a huge leap in 2006-07 with 13.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.0 block, and 1.3 steals over 38 games, attracting the attention of major clubs. Could you tell us about that breakout period?
The first 2 years with Slovan i didnt get a lot of playing minutes in senior team. But then with hard work in practices and aslo the coach changed i got more and more minutes. Also one of the factors was for sure under 20 national team. Where in Izmir we were third and then the next year in Gorizia with samo bad luck finisihed 5th.
In the 2007-08 season, you transferred to Fenerbahçe. How did that process develop? What was the main factor that convinced you to come to Istanbul and join the Fenerbahçe project back then?
For sure one of the main factor for me to come to Fenerbahce was Tanjevic. He helped me a lot in my carrer. He was very tough with me but all just to make me better and to help a team. And when a big euroleague team like fenerbahce wants you you feel great 😊 the year before i was wathching them on TV and then you are palying fort hem.
In the 2007-08 EuroLeague season, the team reached the Top 8 and faced Montepaschi Siena in the playoffs, unfortunately losing the series 2-0. Looking back, what do you think the team should have done differently in that series?
We had a very good run in the euroleague but Montepaschi Siena had a great team back then. There team was together for couple fo years allready. It is hard to say what would i change, but maybe we had to much respect for the opponent we should played like we did before and after in the championship.
We finished the 2007-08 season as champions of the Turkish Basketball League. How would you describe that season for both yourself and the team?
For me for sure was a great expiriance to see so many fans cherring and supportin you it felt amazing. You can see that Fenerbahce is like one big family. For sure for the team it was a big sign that the future is very bright fort hem.
While the 2008-09 EuroLeague season was tough, we also lost a controversial final series in the domestic league against Efes Pilsen, despite leading 2-0. What are your thoughts on that particular season?
The first two games was at Efes court and for sure they were the favorites to win the championship. They great team with some NBA players. Maybe we relaxed little bit to much after the first two games knowing that the next 2 games we are playing at home with our amazing fans. But unfortnly didnt go as we planed.
After playing for Fenerbahçe between 2007-2009, you were loaned to Olimpija in 2009. In the 2010 Slovenian Basketball Cup final, you led your team to an 84-68 victory over Zlatorog with a massive performance: 28 points and 12 rebounds in 35 minutes, earning the MVP title. What do you remember about that dominant performance?
In This season i was loaned to my home town to get some more playing minutes. That season Olimpija played Euroleague and Adriatic league so i got a lot of playing minutes againts great oponent and great teams. And with every game you get more confidence. It was great to win the cup in my home country.
You returned to Fenerbahçe in April 2010 and we won the league title by defeating Efes 4-2. What can you tell us about that championship-winning season?
I just came form winning the cup and was happy to retun to fenerbahce to help the team to another championship. To get revenge for year before 😊
During the 2009-10 final series against Efes Pilsen, there was an incredible comeback victory (85-79). Can you describe that game, the atmosphere in the stands, and the overall feeling of that season?
I still remeber the atmosphere in abdi ipekci when with every block every scored point the gym goes crazy.
You had limited playing time during the 2010-11 season. What are your memories and experiences from that year?
We just changed coach in that season and at the beginning of the season i didnt get a lot of playing minutes. But then with time i got more minutes but then unfortnely i got injured in the middle of the season. So i was out for this and for the beginning of the next season i was out from playing basketball.
The 2011-12 season didn’t quite meet the club’s expectations. How would you describe the team chemistry during that period?
Probably that was one of my worst seasaon in fenerbahce as a player and also as a team, the chemistry in the locker room was good just we didnt show that on the court.
You were part of the team when Ülker Arena first opened its doors. How would you describe the excitement of playing in a brand-new arena? Where do you think that atmosphere ranks in European basketball?
For sure it was a privilege to play in a opening game of the Ulker arena. I remeber when there was opening ceremony they called each player out and there was fire on side and the song was (enter sandman).
You played for Beşiktaş during the 2012-13 season. Could you tell us about your time there?
It was great for me to stay in Istanbul and turkey is like my second home. In Besiktas they just rebuild the team from the beginning. So we needed some time to get to know each other. But after rough started we started to play better.
You returned to Fenerbahçe for the 2013-14 season, which marked the arrival of the legendary Željko Obradović. We won the league title, but unfortunately didn’t get the desired results in the EuroLeague Top 16. What was it like during Obradović’s first season?
For me personaly was great to work with one of the beast coache in the world. I think that me and the coach was good together. He liked that i was husling in deffense and trying to get my teammates open for a easy shot. But unfortunately i got my second injure in the eurooleage game in Milano and was out fort he season.
Regarding that 2013-14 EuroLeague campaign where we missed the Top 8; in your opinion, what went wrong on the European stage?
It is hard for me to say what was wrong for us not to reach the top 8. I was out for the second part of the season. But i think every new team needs more time to reach for the top.
We finished the 2013-14 season as champions after a very intense final series against Galatasaray. What would you like to share about that specific series and the championship?
We know both team had great fans and the first 6 game was tied 3-3 but then game 7 didnt happened.
After your journey with Fenerbahçe, you played for Darüşşafaka, Bandırma, and Reyer Venezia. Can you tell us about your years with those clubs?
With every of those team i have good expirance. In Bandirma we won the first turkish cup in history of the club and were second in championship league and was also my first expirance as a team captain. And in Reyer we won Italian cup and Italian championship.
You won the EuroBasket title with the Slovenian National Team in 2017. What can you tell us about that historic tournament and success?
For sure bigest team result in Slovenian history and for me was especialy great to win this in my second home Turkey.
Let’s head back to Fenerbahçe… 🙂 Do you have a favorite memory from your days there, either on or off the court? A funny locker room story, a special bond with the fans, or a life experience in Istanbul… What is the first story that comes to mind?
For sure one of the best memories in Fener was the first season and season 2009/10 when i came back in April and helped the team. For sure bond with fans is still remaining. Still to this day when in met fenerbahce fans i can see that they still threat me as fener family.
Games against rivals like Galatasaray, Beşiktaş, and Efes always hold a special weight for the Fenerbahçe community. As a professional, did you prepare for these high-tension derbies differently? What was the energy like in the locker room during those rivalry weeks?
For sure there was diffrent energy in the locker room for those game everybody was more focused. You knew the gym is gonna be full but thoso were the best game to play in.
You shared the court with many great talents and legends at Fenerbahçe. Looking back, who was the teammate you enjoyed playing with the most? Was there someone you felt a special connection with on the court?
I played with turkish legend Mirsad Turkcan, İbrahim Kutluay, Damir Mršic, Ermal Kuqo and many more i also played with other great players from all over the world. But special connection was probably with Emir Preldzic. We played together before in Slovan and we come Fenerbahce together.
How would you describe the Fenerbahçe fans at the Abdi İpekçi Arena from your own perspective?
Simlpy Amazing.
If you were a coach today and had a “young Gašper Vidmar” on your team, how would you manage his game? Which part of his skillset would you tell him to focus on most in today’s modern basketball?
First i would like to teach him not no overthink things just to play the game he loves.
What does “Fenerbahçe Basketball” mean to you exactly? In your eyes, what are the unique characteristics that set this club apart from all others in the world?
The unique characteristics i would say that felling of family.
Fenerbahçe has made a tremendous leap in the last 20 years, evolving from a domestic power to a European giant, winning the EuroLeague in 2017 and 2025. As someone who played a key role in the earlier stages of this journey, how do you evaluate this transformation? What is the most important factor behind Fenerbahçe’s sustained success at the top of European basketball?
I fell very proud to be small part of the fenerbahce history. I allways knew that Fener will reach the top of the Euroleage someday. There are a lot of factors for the success but for sure of the biger one is loyal fans.
Currently, you are serving as the Men’s National Team Director at the Basketball Federation of Slovenia. Could you tell us a bit about your current role and your life now?
At the moment i am nothing in national team. My curreent role is father and husband and i work with my brother in small family company (just me and my brother).
Finally, what is your message to the Fenerbahçe fans reading this interview?
I would like to thank you all the fans for all the support they showed me during the years there. And i know that the future is bright for Fenerbahce and their fans.
Salon Tribünü 