Onuralp Bitim shares he shunned numerous offers from top European teams to pursue his NBA dream

Unlike many NBA stars who went through the AAU circuit before going to the NCAA and spent a season there, the Chicago Bulls’ rookie wingman Onuralp Bitim has not had as charmed a life in basketball. The 24-year-old has had to scratch and claw his way to a spot on the Bulls, even shunning numerous offers from top European clubs that would afford him a comfortable life.

However, Bitim was deadset on making it to the biggest basketball stage of them all—the NBA—and continues to do everything he can to shine for the Bulls.

Has had a brief taste of success

With the Bulls’ roster downsized due to injuries, Bitim’s two-way contract was recently converted to a standard one. And in his third NBA game, Bitim repaid Chicago’s faith in him, producing 10 points and six rebounds in the Bulls’ incredible 132-123 double-overtime win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“It was the best moment in my life,” Bitim said.

While many people marveled at how Bitim looked so composed playing crunchtime minutes despite being a rookie, Bitim explained this wasn’t his first time at the rodeo. He has played professional basketball in Turkey since he was only 17.

“Playing professionally since such a young age helped me a lot because, in the end, basketball is universal,” Bitim said.