1. Overview
Mehmet Murat Okur, born on May 26, 1979, is a Turkish former professional basketball player who primarily played as a center and power forward. Throughout his career, Okur became a celebrated figure in Turkish and international basketball, achieving significant milestones. He made history as the first Turkish player to win an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004. His impactful tenure with the Utah Jazz also saw him earn an NBA All-Star selection in 2007, further solidifying his legacy as a pioneering Turkish athlete on the global stage. Known for his exceptional three-point shooting ability and clutch performances, Okur earned the affectionate nicknames "the Money Man" and "Memo is Money" from fans. After his playing career, he transitioned into coaching, becoming the first Turkish citizen to join an NBA coaching staff as a player development coach for the Phoenix Suns.
2. Early Life and Amateur Career
Mehmet Okur was born on May 26, 1979, in Yalova, Turkey. From a young age, Okur developed an interest in basketball, with Toni Kukoč cited as his favorite player during his formative years. He began his journey in basketball in Turkey, quickly demonstrating his talent and potential. Okur's skills were recognized early, leading to his involvement with the Turkish national youth teams. He played a crucial role in helping the Turkish under-22 national team secure a 6th-place finish at the 1997 World Championship. This early success marked him as a promising talent in Turkish basketball, setting the stage for his professional career.
3. Professional Playing Career
Mehmet Okur's professional basketball career spanned from 1997 to 2012, encompassing successful stints in the Turkish League before he made his mark in the NBA. His career was distinguished by notable achievements, including an NBA championship and an All-Star selection, making him a pioneering figure for Turkish basketball.
3.1. Turkish League (1997-2002)
Okur began his professional career in the Turkish Basketball League (TBL) in 1997. He played for several prominent Turkish clubs during this period. From 1997 to 1998, he was a member of Oyak Renault. He then moved to Tofaş, where he played from 1998 to 2000. During his time with Tofaş, he was instrumental in leading the team to a league championship. In 2000, Okur transferred to Efes Pilsen (now known as Anadolu Efes), one of Turkey's most successful basketball clubs. He played for Efes Pilsen until 2002, contributing to their success by winning the Turkish Basketball League championship in the 2001-2002 season. Additionally, he participated in the EuroLeague with Efes Pilsen. During his final season in Turkey, Okur averaged 13.5 points per game, showcasing his offensive capabilities before moving to the NBA. He also secured multiple Turkish Cup championships (1999-2002) and Turkish Presidential Cup championships (1999, 2000) during his time in the Turkish League. He also achieved a silver medal with the Turkey men's national basketball team at EuroBasket 2001, held in his home country.
3.2. Detroit Pistons (2002-2004)
Mehmet Okur entered the NBA after being selected as the 38th overall pick in the second round of the 2001 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons. He played two seasons with the Pistons, from the 2002-03 to the 2003-04 seasons, primarily serving as a valuable reserve player in their frontcourt. On November 7, 2003, Okur delivered a standout performance against the Milwaukee Bucks, leading the Pistons to a 105-99 victory with 12 points and a career-high 18 rebounds.
His most significant achievement with the Pistons came in June 2004, when he helped the team secure the NBA championship. This victory made him the first Turkish player in NBA history to win an NBA championship, a landmark accomplishment for Turkish basketball. Despite his success and contributions to the team, the Pistons faced salary cap limitations. As a result, they were unable to offer Okur a top-level contract to retain him. This situation paved the way for Okur to sign a six-year, 50.00 M USD contract with the Utah Jazz, marking the end of his tenure with the Pistons.
3.3. Utah Jazz (2004-2011)
Mehmet Okur signed with the Utah Jazz on July 27, 2004, and spent the majority of his NBA career, seven seasons in total, with the team, from 2004 to 2011. Standing at 83 in (211 cm) and weighing approximately 263 lb (119.3 kg), Okur played both center and power forward positions for the Jazz, becoming a cornerstone of their offense. In his inaugural season (2004-2005) with Utah, he participated in all 82 regular season games, starting in 25 of them.
Okur's impact grew significantly in his second season (2005-2006) with the Jazz. He dramatically increased his scoring average from 12.9 points per game to 18.0 points per game. Demonstrating his durability and consistency, he started in all 82 games for the second consecutive season, a feat unique among Utah Jazz players that year. His growth was considered a major factor in the Jazz's improvement from 26 wins in the previous season to 41 wins. Okur continued to be a key player for Utah in his third season, maintaining his high level of play.
His stellar performance led to his selection for the Western Conference All-Star team for the 2007 NBA All-Star Game. He, along with Ray Allen, was chosen as a replacement for the injured Allen Iverson and Steve Nash. This selection marked another historic milestone for Okur, as he became the first Turkish player to participate in the prestigious NBA All-Star Game. On January 12, 2009, Okur achieved a career-high in points, scoring 43 against the Indiana Pacers in a 120-113 victory. On July 10, 2009, he further committed to the Jazz by signing a two-year contract extension, reportedly valued at approximately 21.00 M USD.
However, Okur's career with the Jazz was significantly impacted by injuries. On April 17, 2010, he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during the first game of the 2010 NBA playoffs against the Denver Nuggets. This severe injury sidelined him for the remainder of the playoffs and also prevented him from participating in the World Basketball Championships later that summer in his home country, Turkey. He made his return on December 17, 2010, scoring 2 points against the New Orleans Hornets. His playing time and effectiveness were limited in his final season with the Jazz due to the lingering effects of the injury.
3.4. Later NBA Career and Retirement (2011-2012)
Following his long tenure with the Utah Jazz, Mehmet Okur's career saw brief changes in teams. In September 2011, during the 2011 NBA lockout, he signed a contract with Turkish club Türk Telekom, which included an out-clause allowing him to return to the NBA once the lockout was resolved.
On December 22, 2011, Okur was traded to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for a 2015 second-round draft pick (which was later used to select Pat Connaughton). This trade reunited him with his former Jazz teammate, point guard Deron Williams, who had been traded to the Nets in the previous season. Okur played 17 games for the Nets, averaging 7.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game.
His time with the Nets was short-lived. On March 15, 2012, Okur was traded again, this time to the Portland Trail Blazers, along with Shawne Williams and a 2012 first-round pick (later used to select Damian Lillard), in exchange for Gerald Wallace. However, he was waived by the Trail Blazers just six days later, on March 21, 2012.
Later in 2012, Mehmet Okur officially announced his retirement from professional basketball, citing persistent injuries as the primary reason. In his final two years in the league, he was only able to play a total of 30 games due to recurring physical ailments. His last professional game was on January 25, 2012, where he recorded 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in a 97-90 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
4. Playing Style
Mehmet Okur was widely recognized for his distinctive and versatile playing style, particularly for a player of his size, which allowed him to effectively play both center and power forward. His most notable attribute was his exceptional three-point shooting ability, which was uncommon for a big man in his era. Okur possessed a smooth shooting touch and was proficient at spacing the floor, creating offensive opportunities for his teammates by drawing defenders away from the basket. In the 2005-2006 season, he successfully converted 80 three-point shots, showcasing his reliability from beyond the arc.
Beyond his outside shooting, Okur was also remarkably accurate from the free-throw line. Throughout his NBA career, he maintained a high free-throw percentage, close to 80% (career average of 79.7%), which was considered elite for a center. This skill allowed him to capitalize on fouls and contribute consistently to his team's scoring. Okur also developed a reputation for performing well under pressure, often making crucial shots in critical game situations. This clutch ability earned him the popular nicknames "the Money Man" and "Memo is Money" among fans of the Utah Jazz.
5. NBA Career Statistics
Mehmet Okur's NBA career statistics reflect his impactful contributions as a versatile big man, particularly his scoring, rebounding, and efficiency from beyond the arc.
5.1. Regular Season
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-03 | Detroit Pistons | 72 | 9 | 19.0 | .426 | .339 | .733 | 4.7 | 1.0 | .3 | .5 | 6.9 |
| 2003-04† | Detroit Pistons | 71 | 33 | 22.3 | .463 | .375 | .775 | 5.9 | 1.0 | .5 | .9 | 9.6 |
| 2004-05 | Utah Jazz | 82 | 25 | 28.1 | .468 | .270 | .850 | 7.5 | 2.0 | .4 | .8 | 12.9 |
| 2005-06 | Utah Jazz | 82 | 82 | 35.9 | .460 | .342 | .780 | 9.1 | 2.4 | .5 | .9 | 18.0 |
| 2006-07 | Utah Jazz | 80 | 80 | 33.3 | .462 | .384 | .765 | 7.2 | 2.0 | .5 | .5 | 17.6 |
| 2007-08 | Utah Jazz | 72 | 72 | 33.2 | .445 | .388 | .804 | 7.7 | 2.0 | .8 | .4 | 14.5 |
| 2008-09 | Utah Jazz | 72 | 72 | 33.5 | .485 | .446 | .817 | 7.7 | 1.7 | .8 | .7 | 17.0 |
| 2009-10 | Utah Jazz | 73 | 73 | 29.4 | .458 | .385 | .820 | 7.1 | 1.6 | .5 | 1.1 | 13.5 |
| 2010-11 | Utah Jazz | 13 | 0 | 12.9 | .355 | .313 | .750 | 2.3 | 1.5 | .3 | .3 | 4.9 |
| 2011-12 | New Jersey Nets | 17 | 14 | 26.7 | .374 | .319 | .600 | 4.8 | 1.8 | .5 | .3 | 7.6 |
| Career | 634 | 460 | 29.1 | .458 | .375 | .797 | 7.0 | 1.7 | .5 | .7 | 13.5 | |
| All-Star | 1 | 0 | 15.0 | 1.000 | .000 | .000 | 2.0 | 1.0 | .0 | .0 | 4.0 | |
5.2. Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Detroit Pistons | 17 | 0 | 19.0 | .438 | .538 | .531 | 4.1 | .8 | .7 | .7 | 5.5 |
| 2004† | Detroit Pistons | 22 | 0 | 11.5 | .470 | .400 | .692 | 2.8 | .4 | .2 | .4 | 3.7 |
| 2007 | Utah Jazz | 17 | 17 | 34.4 | .388 | .316 | .786 | 7.8 | 1.8 | 1.4 | .9 | 11.8 |
| 2008 | Utah Jazz | 12 | 12 | 38.5 | .423 | .373 | .773 | 11.8 | 1.9 | .7 | .7 | 15.4 |
| 2009 | Utah Jazz | 2 | 2 | 21.5 | .167 | .333 | .750 | 5.0 | 2.0 | .0 | .5 | 4.0 |
| 2010 | Utah Jazz | 1 | 1 | 11.0 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 2.0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 7.0 |
| Career | 71 | 32 | 23.6 | .415 | .362 | .713 | 5.9 | 1.1 | .7 | .6 | 8.1 | |
6. Coaching Career
After retiring from his playing career, Mehmet Okur transitioned into coaching, further cementing his pioneering role in the NBA. From 2014 until August 2016, Okur served as an ambassador for the Utah Jazz, his former team where he achieved All-Star status.
On September 13, 2016, Okur accepted a position with the Phoenix Suns as a player development coach. This appointment was a significant milestone, making him the first Turkish-born coach to be part of an NBA coaching staff in any capacity. His hiring, alongside that of Canadian coach Jay Triano, also marked the first time that two foreign-born coaches served simultaneously on the Suns' coaching staff. In this role, Okur was reunited with former Jazz teammate Earl Watson, who was then the Suns' head coach, and former Jazz assistant coach Tyrone Corbin, who served as an assistant coach for the Suns.
Despite some initial improvements in player development, Okur's coaching tenure with the Suns was relatively short. He was dismissed from his position on October 22, 2017, alongside assistant coach Nate Bjorkgren and fellow player development coach Jason Fraser. This decision followed a disappointing start to the Suns' 50th-anniversary season, which saw the team begin with an 0-3 record.
7. Personal Life
Mehmet Okur is married to Yeliz Çalışkan, an actress and former Miss Turkey finalist. The couple has three children. Their first child, a daughter named Melisa, was born on March 21, 2007. They later welcomed two sons: Yiğit Mehmet Okur, born on February 19, 2010, and Mert Mehmet Okur, born on November 19, 2014. Mehmet Okur and his family currently reside in San Diego, California, United States.
8. Legacy and Impact
Mehmet Okur's career left a lasting legacy on Turkish and international basketball. His achievements paved the way for future generations of Turkish players and coaches to pursue careers in the NBA and other elite leagues worldwide. As the first Turkish player to win an NBA championship and the first to be selected as an NBA All-Star, he broke significant barriers and demonstrated the potential for Turkish athletes on the global stage.
Okur's distinctive playing style, characterized by his exceptional three-point shooting and high free-throw percentage for a big man, revolutionized the role of centers and power forwards, influencing the modern game's emphasis on versatile frontcourt players. His ability to perform under pressure, earning him the nicknames "the Money Man" and "Memo is Money," also highlights his mental fortitude and reliability as a player.
Beyond his playing career, Okur continued to contribute to basketball as the first Turkish-born coach on an NBA coaching staff, further expanding his pioneering influence. His journey from Yalova to the pinnacle of professional basketball stands as a testament to dedication and talent, making him an enduring inspiration and a significant figure in the history of Turkish sports.