21 Facts About Mehmet Okur

Mehmet Murat Okur was born on 26 May 1979 and is a Turkish former professional basketball player.

Mehmet Okur was the first Turkish player in NBA history to win an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004.

In 2016, Mehmet Okur was named a player development coach for the Phoenix Suns, becoming the first Turkish citizen to enter the coaching world in the NBA.

Mehmet Okur helped the Turkish 22-and-under national team to 6th place at the 1997 world championship.

Mehmet Okur averaged 13.5 points per game during his last season in Turkey.

Mehmet Okur was selected 38th overall in the second round of the 2001 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons.

Mehmet Okur became the first Turkish player to win an NBA championship.

Mehmet Okur started in all 82 games for the second straight season, the only Utah Jazz player to do so.

Mehmet Okur was named to the Western Conference All-Star team for the 2007 NBA All-Star Game.

Mehmet Okur was the first Turkish player to participate in this event.

On Monday, 12 January 2009, Mehmet Okur established a new career high in points scored when he scored 43 points against the Indiana Pacers.

On 10 July 2009 Mehmet Okur signed a two-year contract extension reportedly worth approximately $21 million.

On 17 April 2010, Mehmet Okur ruptured his Achilles' tendon during the first game of the post-season against the Denver Nuggets, eliminating him from the remainder of the NBA playoffs, as well as the World Basketball Championships in his native Turkey later that summer.

Mehmet Okur returned on 17 December 2010 and scored 2 points against the New Orleans Hornets.

Mehmet Okur's contract had an out-clause, which allowed him to return to the NBA when the 2011 NBA lockout was resolved.

On 22 December 2011, Mehmet Okur was traded to the New Jersey Nets for a 2015 second round pick.

Mehmet Okur played 17 games for the Nets, averaging 7.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

Mehmet Okur was waived by Portland on 21 March 2012.

Later in 2012, Mehmet Okur decided to retire from basketball, citing injuries.

Mehmet Okur would soon become the first Turkish-born coach to ever be a part of an NBA coaching staff in some capacity.

Mehmet Okur would be reunited with his former teammate Earl Watson and former coach Tyrone Corbin, although their roles would be different with Watson being the head coach and Corbin being an assistant coach.