2023
NCAA Division 1 Full Scholarship Athlete:
Goktug Efe Gucoglu, Istanbul
Son of Mr. Korhan Gucoglu and Mr. and Mrs. Serkan and Mine Salman, Goktug Efe Gucoglu joins Kevin McGeehan’s Campbell University Camels Basketball squad. He becomes the 2nd Turk to play in the Colonial Athletic Conference, after Alihan Demir (2019- Drexel). Efe graduated from Capistrano Valley High School this past May where he played for the very well known Coach Brian Mulligan. During his two years at the school, he averaged a team high 20.1 points per game. His 48% 3-point field goal percentage was a school record and the highest in the CIF Conference.
Efe was selected CIF 2nd team all-Conference and to the All-California South All-Star Team. In January, PrepHoops Selected Efe as the Nation’s Player of the Week following 40 point and 36-point performances respectively vs Conference Rivals, Portola and Martin Luther King Riverside Schools. Prior to arriving to the United States as a 16-year-old, Efe starred on the Fenerbahce U19 Team coached by Ertug Tuzukaya, where he played a key role in their 2021 Championship. Efe also starred for the team at the Adidas Next Generation Tournament. He scored 22 points including 6 3 pointers against UCLA Star, Aday Mara and Spanish powerhouse, Zaragoza. In that game, he single handedly cut an 18-point deficit in the last 8 minutes earning him the game MVP. In the ANGT tournament, he also had strong performances vs. UCLA Star, Berke Buyuktuncel and the TOFAS squad with 12 points as well as Real Madrid and Lithuanian powerhouse, Zalgiris. Efe is well regarded as the top shooter of the 2004 born class. From the age of 13, he served as a Member of the Turkish National team run by Fikret Dogan. During the summer of 2018, Efe played for the Cecil Kirk U14 AAU team coached by the legendary, late, Doodie Lewis. Efe was selected the U14 Germantown Classic MVP. Efe has also proven himself to be a high academic student having studied in one of Turkey’s most prestigious schools, Sev American. He was one of the very few in Turkey to both play in a high-level Basketball Program and also study at one of the country’s top 10 academic schools. By doing so, he demonstrated tremendous maturity and time management skills; He also graduated from Capo Valley with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Efe is highly respected: Campbell Assistant Coach Monty Sanders demonstrated his high praise: “When we watched the film of Efe we were blown away by his ability to make shots, then, when we watched him play in person, we were overwhelmed by his preparedness to compete at the college level, and then after we spent time with, he and his family we were blown away by his character! We can’t be more excited to add Efe and his family to our Campbell Basketball Community!” Coach Brian Mulligan stated his respect: “Efe is so respectful, work ethic is absolutely unmatched, always looking for extra time in the gym, his focus and determination are remarkable, he has the quickest shot amongst any players I’ve ever coached.” StudyInAmerica.com President, Tamer Turkman admires Efe. “I’ve known Efe since he was 13 years old and have seen him grow as a Player and Young Man. I believe in his game as much as I believe in any other player I’ve ever worked with. I told the friends at Campbell from Day 1 to trust me and I am thankful that they did. I have no doubt that in due time they are going to be more than happy in their trust in me because Efe will win a lot of games for them.”