Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens forward Cedi Osman will not take part in the upcoming Pavlos Giannakopoulos friendly tournament in Australia as he continues to recover from an injury sustained during EuroBasket 2025. The Turkish international, a central figure in his national team’s recent campaign, is dealing with bone edema that has not yet fully healed, prompting the decision to keep him out of the squad for the trip.
Osman’s injury dates back to the EuroBasket quarterfinal against Poland, where he first experienced discomfort. Despite the setback, he went on to feature in both the semifinal against Greece and the final against Germany. Reports from Greek outlet Sport 24 suggest that playing through the pain may have aggravated the condition, ultimately leading to the current recovery period.
The 30-year-old forward was instrumental in Türkiye’s run to the EuroBasket final, averaging 16 points and 2.8 rebounds in approximately 29 minutes per game. His scoring ability, versatility, and leadership on the court were key factors in the team’s success. In the championship game against Germany, Osman played the full 40 minutes, contributing 23 points and 5 rebounds, underscoring his importance to the squad even while managing an injury.
Cedi Osman, always present for Türkiye 🇹🇷#EuroBasket | #MakeYourMark pic.twitter.com/xoMIwfoXSb
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) September 9, 2025
Medical evaluations following the tournament confirmed the presence of bone edema, a condition involving swelling within the bone tissue that can cause significant discomfort and limit mobility. While not typically career-threatening, the injury requires careful management to prevent long-term complications. The decision to rest Osman for the friendly tournament is seen as a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring his full recovery before the start of the competitive season.
The Pavlos Giannakopoulos tournament, set to begin on Thursday, is a pre-season event that brings together several high-profile clubs for competitive preparation ahead of the new campaign. For Panathinaikos, it represents an opportunity to fine-tune tactics, integrate new signings, and build team chemistry. Osman’s absence will be felt, but it also opens the door for other players to step into larger roles during the competition.
Osman joined Panathinaikos earlier this year, bringing with him extensive experience from both European and NBA basketball. Known for his perimeter shooting, defensive work rate, and ability to create plays, he was expected to be a central figure in the team’s pre-season plans. His absence will require adjustments from head coach Ergin Ataman, who will likely rotate minutes among the remaining forwards to maintain balance in the lineup.
For Türkiye, Osman’s performance at EuroBasket 2025 was one of the standout stories of the tournament. His consistency and resilience, particularly in playing through injury, earned him a place on the All-Tournament Second Team. While the national side fell just short of the title, losing to Germany in the final, Osman’s contributions were widely recognized as pivotal to their deep run.
Looking ahead, the focus will be on ensuring that Osman returns to full fitness in time for the start of the domestic and EuroLeague seasons. Panathinaikos will be cautious not to rush his recovery, especially given the physical demands of the upcoming schedule. The club’s medical staff will continue to monitor his progress closely, with further evaluations expected in the coming weeks.
While his absence from the Australian tournament is a disappointment for fans eager to see him in action, the long-term priority remains his health and readiness for the competitive season. If recovery proceeds as planned, Osman is expected to rejoin full training later in the pre-season, positioning him to make an impact when the games begin to count.