Ömer Aşık, a 7-0 center from Turkey, was drafted in the 2008 NBA draft by the Portland Trailblazers and has since been traded to the Chicago Bulls.

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A native of Bursa, Turkey, the 24-year old center (he just turned 24 on July 4th) has been playing in Europe, most recently playing with Fenerbahçe Ülker – the major sports club in Istanbul, of the Turkish Basketball League.

Omer represented in the 2007 and 2008 Turkish All Star Game.

Asik has somewhat been injury prone in the last few years. Aik had knee surgery to repair torn ligaments in 2008-09 season and then in December 2009 he missed two months due to a broken collarbone.

Barring anything unforeseen, Asik will be representing Turkey in Turkey this summer during the 2010 World Championships of Basketball.

And if all goes well, Asik will be on the Chicago Bulls roster joining fellow Turkish rookie pivot  Semih Erden, who signed with the Boston Celtics, for this coming NBA season.

Update:  On Monday, July 12, Omer Asik officially signed with the Chicago Bulls

For more about Omer Asik, go to Omer Asik can be big for Chicago Bulls, Turkey.