Furkan Korkmaz

Furkan Korkmaz is a Turkish professional basketball player, standing at 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) and weighing 202 lbs. He primarily plays as a shooting guard and small forward. Born on July 24, 1997, in Istanbul, Korkmaz is recognized for his three-point shooting ability and athletic wing play. He has represented Turkey in international competitions, including EuroBasket and FIBA World Cup qualifiers, establishing himself as a notable figure in Turkish basketball.

Korkmaz began his professional career in Turkey, developing through the youth systems of major clubs. His performances caught the eye of NBA scouts, leading to his selection in the 2016 NBA draft. After honing his skills for two additional seasons in his home country, he made the transition to the NBA. He has since played for multiple franchises, demonstrating his offensive capabilities and contributing to team dynamics. As of mid-2026, he is reportedly set to join EuroLeague club AS Monaco, marking a significant move in his European career. His career has seen him play for teams like the Philadelphia 76ers and the Indiana Pacers, solidifying his presence in professional basketball on both sides of the Atlantic.[edit]

Furkan Korkmaz's journey in basketball began in his hometown of Istanbul, Turkey, where he was born on July 24, 1997. He started playing at a young age, progressing through the youth ranks of prominent Turkish clubs. His early development took place within the esteemed academies of Anadolu Efes and later Fenerbahçe, where he honed his skills and gained valuable experience in competitive leagues.

Korkmaz's standout performances in the Turkish Basketball Super League and the EuroLeague attracted significant attention from NBA scouts. Recognizing his potential, he declared for the NBA draft in 2016, where he was selected 26th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers. However, he chose to remain in Turkey for two more seasons to further develop his game, playing for Fenerbahçe. During this period, he won the Turkish League championship in 2017 and participated in the EuroLeague Final Four, experiences that significantly enhanced his understanding of professional basketball's physicality and strategic demands, preparing him for the challenges ahead in the NBA.[edit]

Furkan Korkmaz officially joined the NBA in the 2017-18 season, signing with the Philadelphia 76ers. Over seven seasons with the 76ers, he evolved into a dependable rotation player, often utilized off the bench to provide floor spacing with his three-point shooting and occasional explosive dunks. His most productive NBA season statistically was in 2021-22, where he averaged 7.6 points per game, shooting 36.2 percent from beyond the arc. Korkmaz also had a stint with the Indiana Pacers during the 2023-24 season, appearing in 29 games.

Following his NBA tenure, Korkmaz returned to Turkey in 2024, initially signing with Beşiktaş. In early 2026, he moved to Bahcesehir College Istanbul, but his time there was brief, parting ways with the club in June of the same year. As of mid-2026, he is reportedly on the verge of signing an overseas contract with the prestigious EuroLeague club AS Monaco, signaling a new and significant chapter in his European basketball career.[edit]

Furkan Korkmaz is widely regarded as a capable NBA rotation player, particularly valued for his dependable three-point shooting. In Turkey, he is a well-known and celebrated figure in basketball, often recognized for his contributions to the national team. His public persona is generally perceived as quiet and professional, though he has shown glimpses of a more playful side, notably in his interactions with former teammates. Fans appreciate his dedication to improvement and his ability to deliver in crucial moments on the court.[edit]

Furkan Korkmaz's fanbase is a quiet but devoted coalition: Turkish basketball loyalists who have tracked him since his Anadolu Efes days, Philadelphia 76ers supporters who remember his seven-year NBA tenure, and EuroLeague followers now watching his return to Europe. There's no formal fandom name, no official club or codified identity, just a shared pride in a homegrown player who made the NBA leap. His most passionate supporters are in Türkiye, where he remains a national team fixture, and his July 2026 signing with Beşiktaş was treated as a homecoming. There are no documented fan campaigns, no billboards or charity drives; engagement is conventional, through his active Instagram and X accounts, where he posts career updates. The closest thing to an inside joke is the recurring Embiid trolling narrative, which Sixers fans and Turkish supporters alike reference with a knowing smile.

On the fame front, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated Furkan Korkmaz, but as of August 2026, he does not hold a placement in the published rankings, neither the Global Top 1,000 nor any Top-100 scope list. That means no numeric rank to cite, no movement to track; he remains an evaluated but unranked figure in the global fame landscape.[edit]

Korkmaz is known for his three-point shooting, but he also delivers the occasional spectacular dunk. A favorite anecdote: he once called Joel Embiid the best big man he had ever seen, a compliment Embiid later playfully referenced on social media. That dynamic resurfaced in January 2026, when Embiid, after a Sixers win over the Rockets, posted an Instagram photo with Alperen Şengün, widely read as a jab at his former teammate. The trolling became a viral storyline, with Sports Illustrated and Bleacher Report covering how Embiid used Korkmaz as motivation to 'destroy the Rockets.'

Another legend from his career is the 'do or die' stretch in January 2026, when his NBA future hung in the balance; Eurohoops ran a piece with that exact title, and fans followed the saga until he signed with Beşiktaş that July. His 2016 draft selection, 26th overall by the 76ers during the 'Trust the Process' era, remains the origin story fans tell newcomers. Off the court, he keeps a low profile, but his August 2025 praise of Luka Dončić as the 'ultimate compliment' endeared him to a broader audience.[edit]

Furkan Korkmaz's family life is kept private, with limited public information available regarding his parents, siblings, or specific familial background. He was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, but details about his upbringing and household are not publicly disclosed. As of 2026, there are no public records indicating he is married or has children, and he maintains a discreet personal life away from the spotlight.[edit]

Furkan Korkmaz is often associated with Joel Embiid, his former teammate on the Philadelphia 76ers. Embiid has publicly joked about Korkmaz, and the two share a friendly rivalry. Korkmaz also has ties to Turkish basketball players like Alperen Şengün, who plays for the Houston Rockets. [edit]

Furkan Korkmaz has maintained a private stance regarding his romantic life, with no confirmed public relationships or links to high-profile partners. As of 2026, he appears to be single and has focused his public attention primarily on his demanding professional basketball career. Information concerning his personal relationships is not readily available to the public.[edit]

His NBA tenure, spanning seven seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers and a brief period with the Indiana Pacers, has been a significant source of income, with estimated career earnings exceeding $20 million from NBA salaries alone. Additionally, his contracts with Turkish clubs, including Fenerbahçe, Beşiktaş, and Bahcesehir College Istanbul, have contributed to his financial portfolio. Korkmaz has not been prominently associated with major endorsement deals, though he has engaged in some brand partnerships within Turkey. While detailed information regarding his business ventures, real estate holdings, or investments remains private, research by the iFANN Editorial Team puts his current net worth at $10 Million.[edit]

Furkan Korkmaz has not won any major individual awards in the NBA or other prominent leagues. His achievements include a Turkish League championship with Fenerbahçe in 2017. [edit]