Naz Aydemir

Naz Aydemir Akyol is a Turkish professional volleyball player and children's author. As a setter, she has become one of Turkey's most decorated athletes, with a trophy collection that includes nine Turkish League titles, four CEV Champions League crowns, and three FIVB Club World Championships. She has represented Turkey at the 2012 and 2020 Summer Olympics, and her career has spanned over fifteen years at the highest levels of the sport.

Known for her precise setting and court leadership, Aydemir has been a cornerstone of VakıfBank's dominance in European volleyball. Off the court, she has carved out a second career as a writer of children's books, and she has spoken openly about her ambitions in psychology. Her fans admire her versatility, her longevity, and the way she balances elite sport with family life and creative pursuits. [edit]

Naz Aydemir was born and raised in Şişli, a district in the heart of Istanbul. She grew up in a sporting household, though details about her parents remain private. Her early passion for volleyball was evident from a young age, and she joined the Turkish national youth teams while still a teenager. It was there that she honed her setting skills, quickly earning a reputation as a playmaker with exceptional court vision.

Her professional career began with stints at Eczacıbaşı and Fenerbahçe, two of Turkey's most prominent clubs. These early years provided her with the competitive foundation she would later build upon. She made her senior national team debut and was selected for the 2012 London Olympics, a milestone that marked her arrival on the international stage. Shortly after that, she signed with VakıfBank, the club where she would achieve her greatest triumphs. [edit]

Aydemir's first tenure with VakıfBank, from 2012 to 2018, was nothing short of spectacular. During those six seasons, she won nine Turkish League championships, four CEV Champions League titles, and three FIVB Club World Championships. All four of her Champions League victories and all three of her Club World titles came with VakıfBank, making her one of the most successful setters in the history of those competitions.

In 2018, she made a high-profile move to Fenerbahçe, where she played for three seasons. In March 2021, Fenerbahçe president Ali Koç and board member Simla Türker Bayazıt presented her with a special plaque honoring her achievements with both the club and the national team. She competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, held in 2021, representing Turkey once again.

After a contract extension with Eczacıbaşı Dynavit in May 2024 and a one-year stint at Galatasaray in 2025, Aydemir returned to VakıfBank in mid-2026, eight years after leaving. The reunion was announced about a month before August 2026, and she is set to play for the club in the 2026–27 season. Throughout her career, she has also balanced her athletic pursuits with writing children's books, a passion she continues to develop. [edit]

Naz Aydemir is widely respected in the volleyball world for her tactical intelligence and calm leadership on the court. As a setter, she orchestrates her team's offense with precision, earning praise from coaches and teammates alike. Off the court, she presents a polished and approachable image, engaging with fans on social media and sharing glimpses of her life as an athlete, author, and mother. Her dual identity as a sportswoman and children's writer sets her apart, and she is often cited as a role model for young girls in Turkey. Fans admire her dedication, her balance of multiple careers, and her graceful demeanor under pressure. [edit]

Naz Aydemir stands as a titan of Turkish volleyball, yet the iFANN Global Fame Engine has evaluated her profile without assigning a placement in its published rankings. She does not currently hold a spot on the Global Top 1,000 list or any Top-100 scope chart. While her name echoes through the corridors of European club volleyball and Olympic arenas, the data reflects an absence from the specific tiered lists that track global celebrity velocity. Her fame remains deeply rooted in her athletic legacy rather than viral internet metrics. The audience surrounding her is defined by club loyalty and sport-specific appreciation rather than a formalized fanbase with a collective moniker. Unlike pop stars who command dedicated squads with branded hashtags, Naz's supporters engage through the structures of VakıfBank and the Turkish national team. Her social media presence offers a direct line to fans, but no organized campaign or subculture bears her name exclusively. There are no subway ads funded by adoring crowds or birthday billboards erected by independent groups. Instead, her public image relies on the quiet respect earned over fifteen years of elite play. The narrative around her shifts between court dominance and her transition into academia, creating a multifaceted reputation that resonates within Turkey's sports community without spilling into the broader, chaotic noise of global pop culture. This steady, professional renown places her firmly outside the volatile ranking systems that capture fleeting trends.[edit]

Naz Aydemir Akyol balances a storied athletic career with a second act as a children's author and aspiring psychologist. Her Instagram bio proudly lists her as an 'Olympian, Future Psychologist, Author,' signaling her diverse ambitions beyond the court. She has competed in the Red Bull Wings for Life World Run, supporting spinal cord injury research, and maintains a close-knit family life; her husband Cenk Akyol is a professional basketball player, and they share a son born around 2018. In March 2021, FIVB highlighted her sporting lineage in a feature titled 'Making a sporting family proud.' A defining moment in her recent lore occurred in July 2026 when she returned to VakıfBank Istanbul after an eight-year absence, a transfer celebrated as a major event in Turkish volleyball circles. Fans often simply call her 'Naz,' a nickname reflecting her calm demeanor and tactical intelligence. During her tenure at Fenerbahçe, she received a special plaque from Club President Ali Koç acknowledging her contributions. Her longevity is legendary; competing in both London 2012 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she remains a cornerstone of the sport despite the shifting tides of professional transfers.[edit]

Naz Aydemir married Turkish international basketball player Cenk Akyol in 2013. The couple, both elite athletes, have described the pride of being a sporting family. They have one son, who was about three years old as of March 2021. The family resides in Istanbul, where both athletes are based. Aydemir has spoken about how her husband's support has been vital to her career, and the couple often cheers each other on from the stands. Despite their busy schedules, they make family time a priority. [edit]

Naz Aydemir has been married to Cenk Akyol since 2013. Cenk is a professional basketball player who has represented Turkey internationally. The couple met through their shared involvement in Turkish sports. They have one son together, born around 2018. There is no public record of any other significant relationships before her marriage. As of 2026, Aydemir and Akyol remain married, and they continue to support each other's careers. Their relationship is often highlighted in the Turkish sports media as a power couple of Turkish athletics. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Naz Aydemir's net worth at $5 Million as of 2026. This financial standing stems primarily from her long-standing contracts with top-tier Turkish clubs including VakıfBank, Fenerbahçe, Eczacıbaşı, and Galatasaray. High-level setters in the league command substantial salaries, frequently boosted by bonuses tied to title victories like her multiple Champions League and Club World Championship wins. Beyond her playing income, she generates revenue through endorsement deals and sponsorships, though exact figures remain private. Her work as a children's author provides an additional stream, alongside fees for appearances and speaking engagements. Over the years, her wealth has grown steadily, mirroring her sustained success and marketability in the sports world. Her financial profile aligns closely with other elite Turkish volleyball players of her generation.[edit]