Mehmet Okur is a retired Turkish professional basketball player known for his skills as a center. Born on May 26, 1979, in Yalova, Turkey, he played college basketball in the United States before entering the NBA. Okur was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 2001 NBA Draft and went on to have a successful career with several teams, including the Utah Jazz and New Jersey Nets. During his time in the NBA, Okur was recognized for his ability to shoot from long range, making him one of the first centers to effectively stretch the floor. He was an important contributor to the Utah Jazz during their playoff runs and was named an NBA All-Star in 2007. After retiring from professional basketball, Okur has remained involved in the sport, contributing to its development in Turkey.