Mehmet Okur is a retired Turkish professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 10 seasons. He was born on May 26, 1979, in Yalova, Turkey, and began his basketball career playing for the Turkish team, Tofas Bursa.
In 2001, Okur was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the NBA draft. He played for the Pistons for five seasons, from 2002 to 2005, and was a key player in their 2004 championship team. Okur was known for his ability to shoot from beyond the arc, and he was a reliable scorer and rebounder for the Pistons.
In 2005, Okur signed with the Utah Jazz as a free agent. He played for the Jazz for six seasons, from 2005 to 2011, and was a two-time NBA All-Star during his time with the team. Okur continued to be a reliable scorer and rebounder for the Jazz, and he helped lead the team to the Western Conference Finals in 2007.
Okur's NBA career came to an end in 2012 when he was waived by the New Jersey Nets. He retired from professional basketball shortly after. Over the course of his NBA career, Okur played in 634 games, averaging 13.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. He was also a career 37.5% shooter from beyond the arc.
In addition to his NBA career, Okur also played for the Turkish national basketball team. He helped lead the team to a silver medal at the 2001 Mediterranean Games and a bronze medal at the 2001 European Championships. Okur was also a member of the Turkish team that competed in the 2010 FIBA World Championship.
Off the court, Okur has been involved in various charitable endeavors. He established the Mehmet Okur Foundation in 2006, which focuses on providing education and sports opportunities for underprivileged children in Turkey and the United States. Okur has also been involved in various other charitable organizations, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Special Olympics.
Overall, Mehmet Okur had a successful basketball career, both in the NBA and on the international stage. He was known for his shooting ability and his reliability as a scorer and rebounder. Off the court, Okur has been a philanthropist and has worked to improve the lives of children through his foundation and other charitable endeavors.
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