Europe is talking about Erxhan Osmani, here comes an interesting story about his past in Kosovo
Express newspaper
13/09/2025 14:23
A new name is taking European basketball by storm. Erxhan Osmani, the Albanian basketball player from Bajram Curri, has become the sensation of Eurobasket 2025, becoming one of the most talked-about figures in the international arena.
In the historic semifinal where Turkey defeated Greece with a score of 94:68, Osmani was the main player of the match. He finished the game with 28 points, six rebounds and two assists, being declared “Player of the Match” and leading Turkey to the grand final of EuroBasket against Germany.
His performance was one of the best of his career and has led to his name being widely mentioned in European and world media as one of the new stars of basketball.
The journey from Kosovo to Europe’s elite
Erxhan Osmani’s story is an inspiring tale of hard work, dedication, and passion.
He was born on August 4, 1998 in Bajram Curr, but took his first steps in basketball in Prizren, at the Junior 06 club.
At the age of just 15, he moved to Turkey, where he initially played for Bandirmas until 2020.
His career then continued with Beşiktaş, Darüşşafaka and today at the giant Anadolu Efes, one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
From Kosovo to the Turkish jersey
In 2021, the Turkish Basketball Federation, with the permission of FIBA, granted Osman the right to represent the Turkish national team. Since then, he has become a key part of the team, consistently showing stability and maturity.
Today, Osmani is not only an important player for Turkey, but also a symbol of pride for Albanians, who see him as an ambassador of talent and hard work in the international arena.
Testimonies from Kosovo basketball
Former Kosovo basketball player Muhamed Thaçi (Muja) shared an interesting story about Osman’s early days. He said that the greatest credit for Erxhan’s involvement in basketball goes to Ramush Rushiti, telling the behind-the-scenes story of when he was first sent to Turkey.
Thaçi points out that initially Efes did not accept him, but Banviti immediately took him. Ironically, today Anadolu Efes pays over 1 million euros for a player that it once did not like.
“We’ll see him in the NBA very soon,” Muja declared, expressing his belief that Osmani is on the right track to move to the strongest league in the world.
Eurobasket 2025: A golden chapter
Turkey has already secured the grand final against Germany, and Ercan Osman’s name is among the most mentioned in European sports. Many analysts consider him one of the most dangerous players of the tournament, while his story is an inspiring example for the younger generations.
From a small hall in Prizren, to shining in a major European final – Erxhan Osmani’s story is proof that dreams can become reality with passion and hard work. /GazetaExpress/