ANKARA

Former 'Utah Jazz' team player Mehmet Okur returned to his team as "team ambassador", according to the local press in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Okur, who played seven seasons for NBA's Western Conference team Utah Jazz in center position, agreed to be a team ambassador and will work with players, sponsors and fans, Deseret News reported.

Utah Jazz CEO Greg Miller described Okur as "always carrying himself with class and dignity."

"Memo - Okur's nickname around the league- quickly became the fans' favorite when he arrived in Utah and has maintained his popularity to this day," Jazz President Randy Rigby said in a statement released by Jazz public relations team.

"Having spent the majority of his career here, he has always been a Jazzman and has maintained strong ties to the team and community," Rigby said, adding that someone of such great character is "a tremendous addition" for the Jazz organization.

Okur enjoyed his NBA spell for ten years in the league, averaging 13.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game throughout his regular season career. 

The big man got his only championship ring in 2004 campaign with the Detroit Pistons, when the Eastern Conference underdogs were able to beat the mighty Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 in the finals series.

Okur is not the only Turk in the Jazz team, Enes Kanter, another 2.11 metre tall Turkish man, also plays in center position for the team. 

Okur mentored Kanter before being traded to New Jersey Nets in 2011 and will likely be the young player's mentor once again.

www.aa.com.tr/en/