Former NIC Player Now in Olympics for Team Turkey - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

2012 Olympics

Former NIC Player Now in Olympics for Team Turkey

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by Jared Frank, KHQ.com/SWXRightNow.com - email
Tugce Canitez played at NIC, and is now playing for Team Turkey at the Olympics in London (Photo: NIC Athletics) Tugce Canitez played at NIC, and is now playing for Team Turkey at the Olympics in London (Photo: NIC Athletics)

It's no big deal, really. Former North Idaho College basketball player Tugce Canitez is currently in London making history. That's all.

What's the big deal?

First, someone with ties to the great Northwest is playing in the Olympics. Even more impressive, however, is that she is playing for her homeland, Turkey, and it is the first time the Turks have ever fielded a women's basketball team in the Olympics.

Canitez has played in both of Turkey's wins: a 72-50 win over Angola, and a 61-57 win over the Czech Republic. They play Team USA on Wednesday (at 2:15 p.m. PT).

Canitez was on the NIC basketball team that won the 2011 National Junior College Athletic Association National Championship.