Team 2012-13: Anadolu Efes Istanbul (Turkey-TBL)
Career: Darussafaka (Turkey-TBL, 2002-04); Partizan Belgrade (Serbia-Superleague, 2004-05); Fenerbahce (Turkey-TBL, 2005-10); Boston Celtics (USA-NBA, 2010-11); Cleveland Cavaliers (USA-NBA, 2011); Besiktas Istanbul (Turkey-TBL, 2011); Cleveland Cavaliers (USA-NBA, 2011-12); Anadolu Efes Istanbul (Turkey-TBL, 2012-13)
Erden teams up with Omer Asik in giving Turkey a very strong platoon at the center position. The giant center returned to the Turkish national team last summer after missing EuroBasket 2011 with a shoulder injury and he did not disappoint in the qualifying campaign, averaging nearly 15 points, seven rebounds and more than one steal and 1.5 blocks. Erden's main weakness - actually just like Asik's - is shooting free throws, but the tall big man excels in defence - though not necessarily intimidating - while providing solid offensive production with a bit of everything, especially finishing aggressively at the rim. Erden, who also runs the floor well for a big man, has solidified himself back in Europe since bouncing back and forth between the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Besiktas and Anadolu Efes in 2011 and 2012.
