I though maybe a giraffe, but those aren´t native to Turkey... I can´t think of any tall Turkish animals...

Camel is tall

rte is tall as well

I don´t think that choosing a Van cat for the mascote is a mistake.

Basketball players don´t have to be just tall, they must be supple, mobile, they have to jump well, and these are all characteristics of cats.

And Van cat is really characteric native of Turkia.

But camels are cooler...