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

When Alperen Şengün sat out, the rest of Turkey proved one thing: this national basketball team is not just a one-star dependent squad. With a perfect 8-0 record in World Cup qualifying, a 65-point combined margin against Lithuania and Iceland, and being the first team to secure a World Cup berth, Turkey has maintained its No. 1 spot in the FIBA Power Rankings. This is not only a positive sign but also a signal of Turkish basketball's rise on the international stage. Turkey's qualifying campaign took place without star center Alperen Şengün, the rising Houston Rockets NBA player, due to the NBA schedule. Yet that did not diminish the team's strength. Instead, the remaining players showcased high team spirit, a flexible tactical system, and thorough preparation from the coaching staff. The dominant win over Lithuania – a traditionally strong European team – was the clearest evidence. Turkey did not just win; they overwhelmed their opponent with tight defense and diverse offense. However, we must be objective: the FIBA Power Rankings are only a snapshot of current form, not a guaranteed prediction for World Cup results. History has seen many top-ranked teams after qualifying fail at the main tournament. A prime example is Serbia in 2026, ranked No. 1 but finishing fifth. Turkey must be cautious about excessive expectations from fans and media. Turkey's greatest strength now is squad depth. Winning convincingly without Şengün shows that their system is not dependent on one individual. Players like Cedi Osman, Furkan Korkmaz, and talents from the BSL have shown composure. But when Şengün returns, the integration puzzle appears. Can a system built without him accommodate a ball-dominant center who creates from the low post? This is the biggest tactical challenge for the Turkish coach. Comparing with direct competitors: France is No. 2 with Victor Wembanyama at age 21, a bright future. Germany is the reigning world champion, though dropped to No. 3, still a force with experienced players like Dennis Schröder and the Wagner brothers. Serbia fell to No. 4, but with Nikola Jokić in the lineup, they are always a heavy contender. Four European teams dominate the top 4, reflecting the rise of European basketball internationally, while the U.S. is absent due to qualifying peculiarities. A contrarian angle: Turkey being No. 1 without Şengün could create significant psychological pressure. If they underperform at the World Cup with Şengün, the public will question: was the team better without him? This story could affect the locker room if not managed wisely. The coaching staff and Turkish Basketball Federation need to build a positive narrative, framing Şengün as an upgrade, not a disruption. The biggest risk remains Şengün's availability for the World Cup. The NBA-FIBA schedule conflict is real, and if Houston Rockets go deep in the playoffs, Şengün may arrive late or exhausted. Injury risk is ever-present. Turkey needs a solid Plan B, and they have proven it in qualifying. But in a short tournament like the World Cup, the absence of a star can be disastrous. Commercially, Turkey's No. 1 status elevates the country's basketball profile. Şengün becomes more attractive to sponsors, and the domestic BSL gains attention. If Turkey medals at the World Cup, the wave of interest will be even larger. Interestingly, the 65-point margin against Lithuania and Iceland could be a warning signal. Blowout wins in qualifying sometimes hide tactical weaknesses that only appear in close games. Turkey has not truly been tested in a high-pressure game. Their reaction when trailing or facing tight defense remains unknown. Conclusion: Turkey deserves the No. 1 spot based on what they have shown. But basketball is a game of moments. The World Cup does not forgive lack of preparation. With Şengün, they are medal contenders. Without him, they are still a top-8 team. The difference lies in integration and expectation management. Can the 12 giant men stay on top when the spotlight turns on? The answer will come next summer.