Kuqo denies Turkish team's claims

(Tulsa-AP) -- Ermal Kuqo insists he never received money nor signed a professional contract with a Turkish professional basketball team. <br><br>The team has claimed it had a professional relationship

Wednesday, July 26th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Tulsa-AP) -- Ermal Kuqo insists he never received money nor signed a professional contract with a Turkish professional basketball team.

The team has claimed it had a professional relationship with the University of Tulsa signee. But Kuqo says he played for a club team sponsored by Fenerbahce Basketball Club-Istanbul.

Tulsa head coach Buzz Peterson had said Monday that he received a fax from representatives of Fenerbahce, indicating the team had a professional relationship with Kuqo.

Kuqo says he's not worried about the Turkish team's claims. He says he is only worried about getting a release from the letter of intent he signed with former Tulsa coach Bill Self. Self left Tulsa to become head coach at the University of Illinois. Tulsa has so far refused to release him.