Efe Vatans commitment announcement on Oregon Ducks social media, accessed on Aug. 18, 2025. (Photo via GoDucks)
August 18, 2025 10:01 PM GMT+03:00
Oregon men’s basketball landed another international signing for the 2025-26 season with the addition of forward Efe Vatan, who has played in Türkiye’s professional and youth leagues.
The 6-foot-9 forward committed to the Ducks in mid-August, becoming the second Turkish international player to join the roster this summer after center Ege Demir. His commitment fills Oregon’s scholarship limit of 13 players and adds depth at power forward.
Efe Vatan’s career in Türkiye’s Galatasaray system
Vatan developed within the Galatasaray basketball program, appearing for the senior team in the Turkish Super League (BSL) and the Basketball Champions League. His role at the professional level was limited, featuring in three league games in 2023-24 and one in 2024-25. He also played in two Champions League games in 2024-25.
He had greater impact at the under-19 level, where he averaged 16.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 30 games during the 2024-25 season. He shot 61.3% from the field and 33.7% from three-point range.
Efe Vatan in national team and his early development
Before joining Oregon, Vatan represented Türkiye at the FIBA U20 European Championship in 2023, appearing in six games. His earlier development also included playing with Cedi Osman Basketbol Spor Kulubu Istanbul in Türkiye’s youth basketball system.
Vatan was born in 2004 and is currently 20 years old. Listed between 6-foot-9 and 6-foot-10, he plays primarily as a power forward but has the size and athleticism to contribute at center.
Vatan’s role at Oregon alongside international additions
Oregon head coach Dana Altman has retooled his roster with six new players this offseason, including Vatan and Demir, as the Ducks prepare for their first season in the Big Ten Conference.
Vatan is expected to provide depth at the forward position behind Kwame Evans Jr. and Sean Stewart, while also complementing returning big man Nate Bittle. He will join Demir in bringing additional international experience to the Ducks’ frontcourt rotation.
Efe Vatan’s eligibility and draft status
It is not immediately clear how many years of college eligibility Vatan will have at Oregon. He is, however, draft-eligible for the NBA in 2026 and has three years of eligibility remaining, according to available sources.
While he will need to adapt to the pace and demands of college basketball, his background in European competition and youth development positions him as a versatile addition to Oregon’s roster.
August 18, 2025 10:02 PM GMT+03:00