12 Giant Men Do Not Leave the Summit: Turkey Again No. 1 in FIBA Power Rankings

The final whistle of the match against Lithuania echoed through the away arena, and I recalled an evening in 2026, sitting in my dormitory in Miami, recording my first analyses of European basketball. Back then, nobody thought Turkey would become the most talked-about name in international basketball. But today, the team nicknamed "12 Dev Adam" (12 Giant Men) has proven they didn't just reach the summit—they intend to stay for a long time.

The 2027 World Cup qualifiers just concluded an important stretch, and Turkey did something no other team has done: they maintained the No. 1 spot on the FIBA rankings with a perfect 8-0 record. But the most impressive number isn't the unbeaten streak—it's how they won. A combined 65-point margin over two opponents, Lithuania and Iceland, in the recent window isn't just a dry statistic—it's a declaration of roster depth and tactical consistency.

What makes this story special is that Turkey achieved all this without Alperen Şengün, their rising NBA star. In a context where most strong teams rely heavily on their core players, a team winning convincingly without their best player is a valuable signal. It shows the system the coach built isn't dependent on any individual—it's a well-oiled machine with interchangeable parts.

Şengün's absence inadvertently became the perfect test for Turkey's roster depth—and they passed with flying colors.

Watching how Turkey defeated Lithuania, a team with a long basketball tradition built on interior strength, I noticed something fascinating. They didn't try to play directly against their opponent near the basket, where Lithuania usually dominates. Instead, they pushed the pace, moved the ball quickly, and maximized their perimeter shooting. This was a smart tactical choice, showing the coaching staff had studied their opponent thoroughly and prepared meticulously.

However, as someone who has followed international basketball for years, I always remind myself that FIBA rankings are just a snapshot in time, not a predictive map of the future. History has proven this many times. Serbia was No. 1 before the 2026 World Cup but finished 5th. So the question isn't whether Turkey deserves the No. 1 spot—they absolutely do based on what they've shown—but whether they can maintain this form in a compressed tournament with much higher pressure.

Another notable point is the rise of European teams in the top tier. Four of the top five positions belong to European teams: Turkey, France, Germany, and Serbia. This reflects a larger trend—world basketball is witnessing a strong European resurgence, where tactics, discipline, and youth development are systematically invested. France with Victor Wembanyama sits at No. 2, Germany as reigning world champion is No. 3, while Serbia with Nikola Jokić in his prime dropped to No. 4. This competition promises an incredibly exciting World Cup.

But returning to Turkey, the most interesting story remains how they'll handle Şengün's return. The current system was built without him, operating at a fast pace and relying heavily on perimeter shooting. The question is: will adding a center with scoring and passing abilities like Şengün disrupt the established chemistry? This is a difficult puzzle the coaching staff needs to solve in the coming months.

Based on my experience following international games, I believe Turkey has a potential tactical advantage. Opponents have spent time studying Turkey's style without Şengün, and they might not be well-prepared for a full-strength Turkey. This creates an element of surprise, an unquantifiable but very real advantage in elite basketball.

However, there's also a potential risk. When a team gets used to winning without their biggest star, the star's return can create invisible pressure. If Turkey underperforms at the World Cup with Şengün in the lineup, the narrative will quickly shift to "they played better without him." This could affect team morale. The coaching staff needs to manage this message delicately.

In reality, Turkey's success in the qualifiers isn't just about tactics or individual talent. It comes from a solid foundation built over many years. The Turkish Basketball Super League (BSL) has invested heavily in youth development, creating a continuous stream of quality players. The "12 Dev Adam" brand has existed since the 2000s and become part of the country's basketball cultural identity. This organizational stability is the foundation for current success.

Another thing I've noticed following Turkey's journey is the connection between the team and its fans. In broadcasts, I hear the passionate cheers of Turkish supporters, not just at home but also in distant away arenas. This support creates enormous mental strength, especially in difficult moments. Basketball isn't just a game of numbers and tactics; it's also a story of pride and community identity.

Looking ahead, the 2027 World Cup will be Turkey's real test. Can they translate qualifying success into results in a two-week compressed tournament with immense pressure? Will Şengün's return elevate the team to new heights or create unwanted disruption? And will teams like France, Germany, or Serbia find ways to overcome them?

I don't have definitive answers to these questions. But I know that in basketball, nothing is certain. The only thing to do is prepare as best as possible and trust the process. Turkey has done their part excellently in the qualifiers, and now they have the right to dream bigger. In a foreign land, transfer news is a bridge between two cultures; here, the ranking is their declaration of standing on the world basketball map.

When I record tonight's podcast, I'll mention Turkey as a prime example of building a sustainable basketball program. They don't have as many NBA stars as the USA or Spain, but they have a system, an identity, and a strong collective belief. And in the modern basketball world, that might be the most valuable asset of all. Every podcast episode is a conversation; every game is a response. And Turkey's answer in this qualifying round is clear: they didn't just reach the summit; they're building an empire.