Mehmet Okur
Encyclopedia
Mehmet Murat Okur (born May 26, 1979 in Yalova
, Turkey
) is a Turkish
professional basketball
player who currently plays for Türk Telekom B.K.
. He is also under contract with the Utah Jazz
of the NBA, and can return to that team when the 2011 NBA lockout
ends. He is a 211 cm (6' 11") power forward
/center
.
was his favorite player while he was growing up. He helped the Turkish 22-and-under national team to 6th place at the 1997 world championship. Mehmet was transferred to Efes Pilsen in 2000 and won a championship in the 2001–2002 Turkish Basketball League
season. He averaged 13.5 points per game during his last season in Turkey.
by the Detroit Pistons
. He played two seasons for the Pistons from 2002/03 to 2003/04, helping Detroit win the NBA championship
in June 2004. He became the first Turkish player to win an NBA championship. Due to salary cap
limitations, the Pistons were unable to pay a top-level salary for Okur, but he was able to parlay his success into a six-year, US$
50 million contract with the Utah Jazz
.
(263 lb
), Okur plays the center
and power forward
positions for the Utah Jazz
. He has inside presence, but also has a reliable jump shot extending to the three-point range and is a solid free throw
shooter with an 80.7 career percentage. On his first season (2004–2005) with Utah, he played in all 82 games, starting in 25 of them. Nicknamed "Memo", Okur had made his presence felt on his second (2005–2006) season with Utah from 12.9 points per game the previous season to 18.0 points per game, leading his team in scoring and rebounding, making him one of the league's most improved players. He started in all 82 games for the second straight season, as the only Utah Jazz player doing so. This season, he continued being a key player for Utah. He has also improved his 3 point shot, and is known as a strong clutch player for the Jazz.
On March 13, Okur became the franchise leader for making the most three-pointers in one month with 21 out of 31. He has missed two games this season snapping his streak (233 consecutive games). On Monday, January 12, 2009, Okur established a new career high in points scored when he scored 43 points against the Indiana Pacers.
On July 10, 2009 Okur signed a two-year contract extension reportedly worth approximately $21 million.
On April 17, 2010, 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 this summer.
He returned on December 17, 2010 and scored 2 points against the New Orleans Hornets.
All-Star team for 2007 NBA All-Star Game
. He and Ray Allen
were selected as replacements for injured original members Allen Iverson
and Steve Nash
. He is the first Turkish player to participate in this event.
His contract has an out-clause, which will allow him to return to the NBA when the 2011 NBA lockout
is resolved.
finalist Yeliz Çalışkan. They have a daughter
, Melisa, born on March 21, 2007, and a son, Yiğit Mehmet, born on February 19, 2010.
| align="left" | 2002–03
| align="left" | Detroit
| 72 || 9 || 19.0 || .426 || .339 || .733 || 4.7 || 1.0 || .3 || .5 || 6.9
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | Detroit
| 71 || 33 || 22.3 || .463 || .375 || .775 || 5.9 || 1.0 || .5 || .9 || 9.6
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Utah
| 82 || 25 || 28.1 || .468 || .270 || .850 || 7.5 || 2.0 || .4 || .8 || 12.9
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Utah
| 82 || 82 || 35.9 || .460 || .342 || .780 || 9.1 || 2.4 || .5 || .9 || 18.0
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Utah
| 80 || 80 || 33.3 || .462 || .384 || .765 || 7.2 || 2.0 || .4 || .5 || 17.6
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Utah
| 72 || 72 || 33.2 || .445 || .388 || .804 || 7.7 || 2.0 || .8 || .4 || 14.5
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Utah
| 72 || 72 || 33.5 || .485 || .446 || .817 || 7.7 || 1.7 || .8 || .7 || 17.0
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
| align="left" | Utah
| 73 || 73 || 29.4 || .458 || .385 || .820 || 7.1 || 1.6 || .5 || 1.1 || 13.5
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
| align="left" | Utah
| 13 || 0 || 12.9 || .355 || .313 || .750 || 2.3 || 1.5 || .3 || .3 || 4.9
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 617|| 446|| 29.1 || .460 || .377 || .797 || 7.1 || 1.7 || .5 || .7 || 13.7
|-
| align="left" | All-Star
| align="left" |
| 1 || 0 || 15.0 || 1.000 || .000 || .000 || 2.0 || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || 4.0
| align="left" | 2002–03
| align="left" | Detroit
| 17 || 0 || 19.0 || .438 ||.538 || .531 || 4.1 || .8 || .7 || .7 || 5.5
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | Detroit
| 22 || 0 || 11.5 || .470 || .400 || .692 || 2.8 || .4 || .2 || .4 || 3.7
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Utah
| 17 || 17 || 34.4 || .388 || .316 || .786 || 7.8 || 1.8 || 1.4 || .9 || 11.8
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Utah
| 12 || 12 || 38.5 || .423 || .373 || .773 || 11.8 || 1.9 || .7 || .7 || 15.4
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | Utah
| 2 || 2 || 21.5 || .167 || .333 || .750 || 5.0 || 2.0 || .0 || .5 || 4.0
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
| align="left" | Utah
| 1 || 1 || 11.0 || 1.000 || 1.000 || 1.000 || 2.0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || 7.0
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 71 || 32 || 23.6 || .415 || .362 || .713 || 5.9 || 1.1 || .7 || .6 || 8.1
Yalova
Yalova is a city located in northwestern Turkey, on the eastern coast of the Sea of Marmara, and is the capital of the Yalova Province. Yalova has a city population of 92,166, while the population of the Yalova Province is 202,531. as of 2009...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
) is a Turkish
Turkish people
Turkish people, also known as the "Turks" , are an ethnic group primarily living in Turkey and in the former lands of the Ottoman Empire where Turkish minorities had been established in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Romania...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player who currently plays for Türk Telekom B.K.
Türk Telekom B.K.
Türk Telekom Basketbol Kulübü is a professional basketball club of based in Ankara, Turkey. It is branch of the Türk Telekom GSK. Their home arena is the Ankara Arena with a capacity of 10,400 seats which was opened in April 2010...
. He is also under contract with the Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
of the NBA, and can return to that team when the 2011 NBA lockout
2011 NBA lockout
The 2011 NBA lockout is the fourth lockout in the history of the National Basketball Association . The owners began the work stoppage at 12:01 am EDT on July 1, 2011. The main issues dividing the owners and the players are revenue sharing and the structure of the salary cap...
ends. He is a 211 cm (6' 11") power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
/center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
.
Early career
Okur notes Toni KukočToni Kukoc
Toni Kukoč is a retired Croatian professional basketball player. He was renowned for his versatility and passing ability; although his natural position was small forward, he played all five positions on the court with prowess and demonstrated court vision and an outside shooting touch that were...
was his favorite player while he was growing up. He helped the Turkish 22-and-under national team to 6th place at the 1997 world championship. Mehmet was transferred to Efes Pilsen in 2000 and won a championship in the 2001–2002 Turkish Basketball League
Turkish Basketball League
The Turkish Basketball League is the top men’s professional basketball league in Turkey, which is also called Turkish Premier Basketball League . There is also a Turkish Second Basketball League consisting of 2 divisions .-History:The first basketball game played in Turkey was at the Robert...
season. He averaged 13.5 points per game during his last season in Turkey.
Detroit Pistons
Okur was selected 37th overall in the second round of the 2001 NBA Draft2001 NBA Draft
The 2001 NBA Draft took place on June 27, 2001 in New York City, New York. Kwame Brown became the first high school player drafted with the first overall pick...
by the Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
. He played two seasons for the Pistons from 2002/03 to 2003/04, helping Detroit win the NBA championship
2004 NBA Finals
The 2004 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 2003–04 National Basketball Association season. The Finals were between the Los Angeles Lakers of the Western Conference and the Detroit Pistons of the Eastern Conference; the Lakers held home court advantage...
in June 2004. He became the first Turkish player to win an NBA championship. Due to salary cap
Salary cap
In professional sports, a salary cap is a cartel agreement between teams that places a limit on the amount of money that can be spent on player salaries. The limit exists as a per-player limit or a total limit for the team's roster, or both...
limitations, the Pistons were unable to pay a top-level salary for Okur, but he was able to parlay his success into a six-year, US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
50 million contract with the Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
.
Utah Jazz
Standing 2.11 m (6'11") and 119.3 kgKilogram
The kilogram or kilogramme , also known as the kilo, is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units and is defined as being equal to the mass of the International Prototype Kilogram , which is almost exactly equal to the mass of one liter of water...
(263 lb
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
), Okur plays the center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
and power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
positions for the Utah Jazz
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
. He has inside presence, but also has a reliable jump shot extending to the three-point range and is a solid free throw
Free throw
In basketball, free throws or foul shots are unopposed attempts to score points from a restricted area on the court , and are generally awarded after a foul on the shooter by the opposing team...
shooter with an 80.7 career percentage. On his first season (2004–2005) with Utah, he played in all 82 games, starting in 25 of them. Nicknamed "Memo", Okur had made his presence felt on his second (2005–2006) season with Utah from 12.9 points per game the previous season to 18.0 points per game, leading his team in scoring and rebounding, making him one of the league's most improved players. He started in all 82 games for the second straight season, as the only Utah Jazz player doing so. This season, he continued being a key player for Utah. He has also improved his 3 point shot, and is known as a strong clutch player for the Jazz.
On March 13, Okur became the franchise leader for making the most three-pointers in one month with 21 out of 31. He has missed two games this season snapping his streak (233 consecutive games). On Monday, January 12, 2009, Okur established a new career high in points scored when he scored 43 points against the Indiana Pacers.
On July 10, 2009 Okur signed a two-year contract extension reportedly worth approximately $21 million.
On April 17, 2010, 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 this summer.
He returned on December 17, 2010 and scored 2 points against the New Orleans Hornets.
All-Star
He was named to the Western ConferenceWestern Conference (NBA)
Below is a list of current Western Conference NBA team rosters.-Western Conference:There are a total of 15 teams in the Western Conference. The current leading team of the Western conference are the Dallas Mavericks....
All-Star team for 2007 NBA All-Star Game
2007 NBA All-Star Game
The 2007 NBA All-Star Game was played on Sunday, February 18, 2007 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas's Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. It was the 56th annual All-Star Game. It was the first time the All-Star Game was played in a city without an NBA franchise and...
. He and Ray Allen
Ray Allen
Walter Ray Allen is an American professional basketball player who is currently playing for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. He has played professionally for the Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle SuperSonics, and the Boston Celtics; and collegiately for the University of...
were selected as replacements for injured original members Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson
Allen Ezail Iverson is an American professional basketball point guard and shooting guard. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the number one pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in the 1996–97 season...
and Steve Nash
Steve Nash
Stephen John "Steve" Nash, OC, OBC is a South African-born Canadian professional basketball player who plays point guard for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association . Nash enjoyed a successful high-school basketball career, and he was eventually given a scholarship by Santa Clara...
. He is the first Turkish player to participate in this event.
Türk Telekom Ankara
In September 2011, Okur signed a contract with Türk Telekom B.K.Türk Telekom B.K.
Türk Telekom Basketbol Kulübü is a professional basketball club of based in Ankara, Turkey. It is branch of the Türk Telekom GSK. Their home arena is the Ankara Arena with a capacity of 10,400 seats which was opened in April 2010...
His contract has an out-clause, which will allow him to return to the NBA when the 2011 NBA lockout
2011 NBA lockout
The 2011 NBA lockout is the fourth lockout in the history of the National Basketball Association . The owners began the work stoppage at 12:01 am EDT on July 1, 2011. The main issues dividing the owners and the players are revenue sharing and the structure of the salary cap...
is resolved.
Personal life
He is married to actress and former Miss TurkeyMiss Turkey
Miss Turkey ® is a national beauty pageant for unmarried women in Turkey, who personify beauty with intelligence. The first beauty contest was held on September 2, 1929 with the backing of the government, and the title holder was Feriha Tevfik....
finalist Yeliz Çalışkan. They have a daughter
Daughter
A daughter is a female offspring; a girl, woman, or female animal in relation to her parents. The male equivalent is a son. Analogously the name is used on several areas to show relations between groups or elements.-Etymology:...
, Melisa, born on March 21, 2007, and a son, Yiğit Mehmet, born on February 19, 2010.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2002–03
| align="left" | Detroit
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
| 72 || 9 || 19.0 || .426 || .339 || .733 || 4.7 || 1.0 || .3 || .5 || 6.9
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | Detroit
| 71 || 33 || 22.3 || .463 || .375 || .775 || 5.9 || 1.0 || .5 || .9 || 9.6
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | Utah
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
| 82 || 25 || 28.1 || .468 || .270 || .850 || 7.5 || 2.0 || .4 || .8 || 12.9
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | Utah
| 82 || 82 || 35.9 || .460 || .342 || .780 || 9.1 || 2.4 || .5 || .9 || 18.0
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | Utah
| 80 || 80 || 33.3 || .462 || .384 || .765 || 7.2 || 2.0 || .4 || .5 || 17.6
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | Utah
| 72 || 72 || 33.2 || .445 || .388 || .804 || 7.7 || 2.0 || .8 || .4 || 14.5
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| align="left" | Utah
| 72 || 72 || 33.5 || .485 || .446 || .817 || 7.7 || 1.7 || .8 || .7 || 17.0
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
2009–10 NBA season
The 2009–10 NBA season was the 64th season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, and ended on Wednesday, April 14, 2010....
| align="left" | Utah
| 73 || 73 || 29.4 || .458 || .385 || .820 || 7.1 || 1.6 || .5 || 1.1 || 13.5
|-
| align="left" | 2010–11
2010–11 NBA season
The 2010–11 NBA season was the 65th season of the National Basketball Association . The 2011 NBA All-Star Game was played on February 20, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in six games, 4 games to 2, to win their first NBA title, and...
| align="left" | Utah
| 13 || 0 || 12.9 || .355 || .313 || .750 || 2.3 || 1.5 || .3 || .3 || 4.9
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 617|| 446|| 29.1 || .460 || .377 || .797 || 7.1 || 1.7 || .5 || .7 || 13.7
|-
| align="left" | All-Star
| align="left" |
| 1 || 0 || 15.0 || 1.000 || .000 || .000 || 2.0 || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || 4.0
Playoffs
|-| align="left" | 2002–03
2003 NBA Playoffs
The 2003 NBA playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2002-03 NBA season. This postseason was notable for being the first time all series were conducted in a best-of-7 format. It was also the only time in playoff history that no team was swept in a first-round series....
| align="left" | Detroit
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
| 17 || 0 || 19.0 || .438 ||.538 || .531 || 4.1 || .8 || .7 || .7 || 5.5
|-
| align="left" | 2003–04
2004 NBA Playoffs
The 2004 NBA Playoffs were the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2003–04 season. Consisting of 16 teams in two conferences, the playoffs involved about two months of play. The playoffs were conducted in seven-game series, with the team with the better record holding home court...
| align="left" | Detroit
| 22 || 0 || 11.5 || .470 || .400 || .692 || 2.8 || .4 || .2 || .4 || 3.7
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
2007 NBA Playoffs
The 2007 NBA Playoffs was the postseason to the National Basketball Association's 2006–2007 season.There were four rounds of postseason action, all of them in a best-of-seven format, with teams seeded on a bracket. The team with the better record wasn't necessarily the basis of seeding teams in...
| align="left" | Utah
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
| 17 || 17 || 34.4 || .388 || .316 || .786 || 7.8 || 1.8 || 1.4 || .9 || 11.8
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
2008 NBA Playoffs
The 2008 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2007–08 season which ended with the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeating the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers 4–2....
| align="left" | Utah
| 12 || 12 || 38.5 || .423 || .373 || .773 || 11.8 || 1.9 || .7 || .7 || 15.4
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
2009 NBA Playoffs
The 2009 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2008–09 season. The playoffs started on April 18, 2009 with ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
| align="left" | Utah
| 2 || 2 || 21.5 || .167 || .333 || .750 || 5.0 || 2.0 || .0 || .5 || 4.0
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
2009 NBA Playoffs
The 2009 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2008–09 season. The playoffs started on April 18, 2009 with ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
| align="left" | Utah
| 1 || 1 || 11.0 || 1.000 || 1.000 || 1.000 || 2.0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || 7.0
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 71 || 32 || 23.6 || .415 || .362 || .713 || 5.9 || 1.1 || .7 || .6 || 8.1