Ömer Asik Career Overview
Ömer Asik is a Turkish professional basketball player who primarily played the center position in the NBA. He was born on July 4, 1986, in Bursa, Turkey, and began his career in European leagues before entering the NBA. He became known for his defensive rebounding and pick-and-roll coverage, which made him a valuable rotation piece for multiple teams during his tenure in the league NBA.
Asik entered the NBA in 2008 after being selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round of the draft. He was quickly traded to the Chicago Bulls, where he spent the majority of his early career and developed into a starting-caliber center. His time with the Bulls included multiple playoff appearances and a reputation as one of the league's most efficient defensive big men during that era ESPN.
Contract History and Earnings
Ömer Asik signed a six-year, $25.1 million contract extension with the Chicago Bulls in 2010, which became one of the more criticized deals in team history due to his declining role and performance in later seasons. The contract included a player option for the final year, which he declined, making him a free agent ahead of the 2012 offseason Spotrac.
After leaving the Bulls, Asik signed a three-year, $25.1 million contract with the Houston Rockets in 2012. He later joined the New Orleans Pelicans, where he played on a one-year, $3.0 million deal in the 2018-19 season. His final NBA contract was a one-year, $2.1 million agreement with the Toronto Raptors in 2019, after which he returned to European competition Basketball Reference.
Post-NBA Career and Current Status
Following his last NBA stint, Ömer Asik returned to the Turkish Basketball Super League, signing with Bahcesehir College in 2020. He later moved to Gaziantep Basketbol in 2021, continuing to play at a high level in Turkey's top domestic competition EuroLeague.
Asik's net worth is primarily derived from his NBA salaries, which totaled an estimated $55 million over his career, along with European contract earnings and endorsement deals. His career earnings place him among the higher-paid Turkish basketball players in NBA history, though his later contracts reflected a significant decline in market value compared to his peak years Forbes.
Career Highlights
NBA All-Rookie Second Team
Asik was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2009 after averaging 6.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for the Chicago Bulls during his first season NBA.
International Career
He represented the Turkish national team in multiple FIBA competitions, including the EuroBasket tournaments, where he contributed as a key frontcourt player for the squad