Turkey's Mehmet Okur ends basketball career 

ISTANBUL

Hürriyet photo

Turkish player Mehmet Okur announced his retirement from basketball yesterday, adding it would take effect immediately.

The former Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons center issued a statement to announce his decision.
“Due to a string of injuries in the last three years, I have come to understand that I will not be the Mehmet Okur I used to be [on the court],” he said. “I have received offers from many NBA teams and elite European clubs but when a player’s body does not let him be as good as he used to be, he now has to bid farewell to the sport. That time has come for Mehmet Okur.”

Known for his high three-point rate for a center, the 33-year-old player spent 10 seasons in the NBA, winning one league title with the Pistons in 2004, making him the only Turkish player to have a championship ring. After two seasons with the Pistons, Okur moved to the Jazz, where he averaged 15.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per game during seven seasons. He was selected to play in the 2007 All-Star game as well, being the only Turk ever to participate in the NBA’s showcase event.

Last year, he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, however, he could only play 17 matches for the franchise.