Furkan Korkmaz triggers 76ers fans with maddening Joel Embiid comment

Most of us were taught the phrase “If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say it at all,” when we were younger. Who would’ve thought this universal lesson would come to fruition in professional basketball?

After Turkey defeated Poland in the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket Quarter-Finals today, a reporter asked Furkan Korkmaz who the best center he has ever played with throughout his career is. 

This may be a no-brainer to a Philadelphia 76ers fan, but Korkmaz thought otherwise.

“Until now, I thought Joel Embiid was the best big man I played with,” Korkmaz said. “But, it’s Alperen Sengun now. Defensively and offensively I think he’s a special kid.”

Korkmaz and Sengun have a hometown connection

While Korkmaz and Sengun never joined forces in the NBA, they have grown familiar with each other internationally. The duo has shared the floor on Turkey’s national team three times in the last four years. They represented Turkey in 2022 and 2023 and are guiding figures in its current run for the Nikolai Semashko Eurobasket Trophy.

With its win over Poland, Turkey has advanced to the Semi-Finals to face a determined opponent. If Turkey wins, it will advance to the championship for the first time since 2001. Sengun has been the catalyst for its success – averaging 21.6 points per game, 10.9 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game.

While Sengun’s game is more appealing to international play, Embiid’s superiority is undeniable and Korkmaz should know this.

Korkmaz knows firsthand how good Embiid was

Philadelphia selected the international guard with the 26th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. However, his NBA career began one year later. He spent the 2016-17 season with EuroLeague club Anadolu Efes before undergoing a seven-year stint with the 76ers.

Korkmaz averaged 6.8 points per game on 40.6% shooting from the field and 35.6% accuracy from beyond the arc within this span. He was never quite a mainstay in Philadelphia’s rotation as he offered little outside of streaky perimeter shooting. 

As a matter of fact, Korkmaz requested a trade from the 76ers twice in hopes of finding a bigger opportunity elsewhere. His first attempt came on November 5th, 2018 and he tried again on February 6th, 2023. He eventually got his wish on February 8th, 2024 – when he was dealt to the Indiana Pacers and later waived. Korkmaz has not played in the NBA since.

Regardless, Korkmaz played with Embiid at the apex of his career. There is even documentation of him and Embiid celebrating together after he magically dropped 70 points on the San Antonio Spurs on January 22nd, 2024. 

Sengun is yet to reach the heights Embiid has and it’s unlikely he’ll develop into the two-way force he once was.