Former center Mehmet Okur has found a new NBA home. However, he’ll be transitioning into a coaching role rather than making a comeback as a player. The Suns announced today in a press release that the Turkish big man will be joining the club’s staff as a player development coach.
Okur spent 10 seasons in the NBA, with the Pistons, Jazz, and Nets, before announcing his retirement in 2012 at age 33. For his career, Okur averaged 13.5 PPG and 7.0 RPG in 634 regular-season games. He spent six of his NBA seasons in Utah, playing alongside current Suns head coach Earl Watson near the end of his stint with the Jazz. Both Okur and Watson played for current Suns assistant Tyrone Corbin, who was Utah’s head coach at the time.
In Phoenix, Okur will get the opportunity to work with a group of young bigs that include Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss, the fourth and eighth overall picks in this year’s draft.
In addition to hiring Okur, the Suns also announced that they’ve added Jason Hervey to their staff as an advance scout. Hervey previously worked in the Timberwolves’ scouting department and in the Pistons’ basketball operations department.