By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The Phoenix Suns announced on Tuesday the team has added Mehmet Okur as player development coach and Jason Hervey as advance scout.
Okur, a 2007 NBA All-Star, will specialize in the skills development of the Suns’ post players. A former 10-year pro in the NBA, Okur averaged 13.5 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting 37.5 percent from three-point territory as a 6-11 forward/center in 634 games with the Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz and New Jersey Nets. Okur played most his career with the Jazz, averaging 15.3 points and 7.6 rebounds over seven seasons with the team (2004-11), earning an All-Star nod in 2007 to become the first native of Turkey to be named an NBA All-Star. In Okur’s final season with the Jazz in 2010-11, he was a teammate of Suns Head Coach Earl Watson and they played for current Suns assistant coach Tyrone Corbin.
Originally the 37th overall pick of the 2001 NBA Draft by Detroit, Okur played his first two seasons with the Pistons (2002-04) and was a member of their 2004 NBA Championship team. Since his playing career came to an end, Okur has worked as a team ambassador for Utah where he was a fan favorite nicknamed “The Money Man” for his clutch shooting.