What is Ömer Asik's Net worth and Salary?
Ömer Aşık, a retired Turkish professional basketball player, has a net worth of $30 million. Born in Bursa, Turkey, in July 1986, Asik is known for his towering height of 7'0" and his position as center. His professional career began with Fenerbahce in Turkey in 2005. He also played for FMV Isik Spor Kulubu and Alpella in Turkey. Asik achieved recognition as a two-time Turkish Basketball League All-Star and won the TBL Championship in 2008.
In the 2008 NBA Draft, Asik was selected 36th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers before being traded to the Chicago Bulls. He played for the Bulls from 2010 to 2012. In 2012, he signed a three-year, $25.1 million deal with the Houston Rockets. Two years later, Asik was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, returning to the Bulls in 2017, where he finished his career in 2020. Asik's international career also stands out; he won a silver medal at the 2010 FIBA World Championships representing Turkey. Over his NBA career, Ömer Aşık earned $75 million in salary alone.
Early Life
Ömer Asik was born on July 4, 1986, in Bursa, Turkey. His birth date was intentionally planned by his parents, who admired the United States' Independence Day. From a young age, Asik showed exceptional talent in basketball, quickly catching the attention of professional teams in Turkey. By 19, in 2005, he had signed with Fenerbahce, marking the start of his professional career.
Career
Asik’s early professional years involved playing for various Turkish teams including Fenerbahce, FMV Isik Spor Kulubu, and Alpella. During the 2005-2006 season, Asik was loaned to a second-division team to develop his skills further. The next season, he joined Alpella, and later returned to Fenerbahce in December 2007. However, persistent injuries, including an ACL tear and a collar-bone fracture, sidelined him for several months. Despite these setbacks, he was instrumental in Fenerbahce's 2008 Turkish championship victory and earned two Turkish Basketball League All-Star selections in 2008 and 2009.
Drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2008, Asik was traded to the Chicago Bulls immediately. He signed a two-year contract with the Bulls in July 2010, debuting against the Oklahoma City Thunder later that year. Though not a regular starter, Asik's playtime increased, making him a key bench player during the Bulls' playoff run, despite a fibula fracture in the post-season. He returned for the 2011-2012 season, fully healed.
July 2012 marked a significant turn in Asik's career when he signed a $25 million, three-year offer sheet with the Houston Rockets. The Bulls chose not to match this offer, and Asik officially became a Rocket on July 24. He excelled, becoming the Rockets' starting center and leading the league in rebounds for the 2012-2013 season. His efforts were pivotal in helping the Rockets achieve a 45-37 record and a playoff berth.
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In 2013, the Rockets added Dwight Howard, reducing Asik's role on the team. A knee injury further limited his playtime, sidelining him for two months. Asik was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in July 2014. He performed strongly during the 2014-2015 season, and signed a five-year, $60 million contract with the Pelicans in 2015, a decision critics dubbed the least tradable contract in the league. Still, Asik continued to play effectively.
Asik faced significant health challenges during the 2016-2017 season, including a bacterial infection and a diagnosis of Crohn's disease, which caused him to miss eight months and lose 30 pounds. In February 2018, he was traded back to the Chicago Bulls but was ruled out indefinitely in September due to inflammatory arthritis. The Bulls waived Asik in October 2018. By June 2019, the NBA removed Asik’s contract from the Bulls' books due to a career-ending illness or injury.
Beyond his professional career, Asik represented Turkey internationally. He debuted with the Turkish national team in 2006, helping secure a silver medal at the U20 European Championship. In 2010, Asik again represented Turkey at the FIBA World Championship, where they won a silver medal, only losing to the United States in the final.
