ANKARA

Turkey can do what is needed to get former NBA player Shane Larkin on the Turkish National Basketball Team, according to the nation’s president.

"I don't know Larkin is a Turkish citizen. We want to see a successful player like him in our national basketball team squad. Shane Larkin can carry our national team to good results," said Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday in a televised interview.

Larkin, currently playing for Istanbul team Anadolu Efes, has averaged 22 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.3 rebounds in 12 games of the EuroLeague's 2019-2020 season, making him the league’s current scoring leader.

After joining Anadolu Efes in the summer of 2018, Larkin has been an influential player for his team, during the club's march to the EuroLeague final, as well as Turkish league title.

Recently, Ohio-born Larkin was named November's MVP by EuroLeague, after breaking the scoring record in a single game with 49 points.

Anadolu Efes, the current regular season leader of the EuroLeague, has a 11-2 win/loss record.

During his NBA career, Larkin played for Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, and Boston Celtics as well as for Spain's Saski Baskonia.

2020 FIBA Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournaments will take place in 23-28 June, 2020.

Turkey will take part in tournament in Victoria with Czech Republic, Uruguay, Greece, China and Canada.