İsmet Akpınar
Ismet Akpınar is a Turkish-German professional basketball player for Bahçeşehir Koleji of the Turkish Basketbol Süper Ligi and the EuroCup.
Early years
Akpınar started his career in the BC Hamburg youth ranks. At the age of 16, he made his professional debut with SC Rist Wedel in the ProB, the third tier of German basketball, earning Eurobasket.com All-German ProB Rookie of the Year honors following the 2011–12 season. At the same time, he excelled at the youth level playing for Piraten Hamburg and was named JBBL Player of the Year in 2011 as well as NBBL Rookie of the Year the following season.Professional career
In February 2013, Akpınar agreed on a four-year deal with Bundesliga side Alba Berlin. In the 2016-17 season, he received the BBL Best German Young Player Award.On June 7, 2017, he signed with ratiopharm Ulm. In the 2017–18 season, he was invited for the BBL All-Star Game for the first time in his career. In 2019, Akpinar played in his second All-Star Game and was MVP of the match.
Beşiktaş Sompo Japan
On July 30, 2019, he has signed contract with Beşiktaş Sompo Japan of the Basketbol Süper Ligi.Bayern Munich
On May 25, 2020, he has signed with Bayern Munich of the Basketball Bundesliga.Bahçeşehir Koleji
On July 11, 2020, he has signed with Bahçeşehir Koleji of the Turkish Basketball Super League.Fenerbahçe Beko
On June 18, 2021, he signed a two-year contract with Fenerbahçe Beko of the Turkish Basketball Super League and the EuroLeague. On June 22, 2023, he parted ways with the club.Galatasaray Ekmas
On June 26, 2023, he signed with Galatasaray Nef of the Turkish Basketbol Süper Ligi.Türk Telekom
On June 5, 2024, he signed with Türk Telekom of the Turkish Basketbol Süper Ligi.Return to Bahçeşehir Koleji
On July 4, 2025, he signed with Bahçeşehir Koleji of the Turkish Basketbol Süper Ligi for a second stint.National team
Akpınar has represented the German Junior National Teams on many occasions. In August 2010, he played in the North Sea Development Basketball Cup, guiding the German under-15 squad to a second-place finish.He was with the Germany U16 National Team, competing in the 2011 under-16 European Championships, and was selected to play for Germany's U18 team at the 2012 Albert-Schweitzer-Tournament as well as at the 2012 and 2013 under-18 European Championships. In 2014 and 2015, he played for his country in the under-20 European Championships. In the summer of 2017, he was capped for the first time for Germany's men's national team.