Talen Horton-Tucker is enjoying the best season of his career. The 25-year-old Chicago native has been a key force for Fenerbahce Beko, averaging 15.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists over 23.6 minutes per game in 36 EuroLeague appearances. He’s shooting 48.4 percent from the field and has helped the Turkish club secure a 24-14 regular-season record, good for fourth place. Fenerbahce recently punched their ticket to the 2025 EuroLeague Final Four by grinding out a 3-1 quarterfinal series win over Zalgiris, with Horton-Tucker leading the way.
In a candid, in-depth conversation on the EURO INSIDERS podcast, the former Lakers champion opened up about his Chicago roots, the lessons learned from playing alongside LeBron James, and why he feels the EuroLeague is the perfect next step in his career.
“I’m a LeBron fan,” Horton-Tucker said. “I grew up watching more of LeBron, and then actually playing with him showed me a lot. Knowing the kind of person he is and how much he invests in the game—it’s incredible.”
When pressed for his pick in the GOAT debate, the Chicago native—raised in the same city that idolizes Michael Jordan—didn’t hesitate: “1A’s LeBron.”
That admiration runs deep. At just 19 years old, Horton-Tucker won an NBA title with the Lakers in the 2020 bubble, becoming the youngest American to achieve that feat. He credits veterans like Rajon Rondo for mentoring him and teaching him to “keep the main thing the main thing.”
But after bouncing around the NBA, he chose a risky path: crossing the Atlantic for his first season in Europe.
“I feel like it’s the highest level outside of the NBA,” he explained. “I’ve always wanted to compete against the best.”
The adjustment hasn’t been easy. Tighter spacing, no defensive three-second rule, and goaltending allowed on the rim—every detail matters more in the EuroLeague. Horton-Tucker says the game has sharpened his skills.
“Over here, the details matter a lot more,” he noted. “Seeing the tactical side of basketball at this level is crazy… it makes you respect a lot of players and a lot of coaches.”
He’s also working to rebuild his reputation after some negative NBA narratives about his body and professionalism. Coming off a strong college season at Iowa State—where he played through an undiagnosed stress fracture in his right foot—Horton-Tucker wanted to prove he could be a consistent winner again.
Fenerbahce head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius has pushed him hard, and Horton-Tucker appreciates the challenge.
“He demands a lot from us. He demands excellence,” he said. “Having a coach like that… you kind of see why we’ve had the success we’ve had so far.”
That success now includes a Final Four semifinal matchup against Olympiacos on May 22 in Athens. Horton-Tucker isn’t chasing individual accolades.
“My goals honestly, I ain’t going to lie. I don’t have any individual goals here,” he said. “Just being able to win and win this championship here… I’ll be one of the only players to have an NBA championship and a EuroLeague championship.”
