Turkish Basketball Player Okur Signs Contract With Utah Jazz Of United States

WASHINGTON - Mehmet Okur, one of Turkish basketball players in the U.S. NBA League, signed a six-year contract with Utah Jazz on Tuesday.
After the signature ceremony, Okur told reporters, ''life is beautiful. I couldn't play much in Detroit Pistons last year. I am eager to play, and want to start playing immediately.''
2.11-meter-long Okur, the first Turkish basketball player who experienced championship in NBA League with Detroit Pistons, will return to Turkey to join training of the Turkish national basketball team, preparing for European Championship qualifying round.
Okur is expected to return to the United States in September to join training camp of the Utah Jazz.
25-year-old Okur will earn a salary of 50 million U.S. dollars for playing six years in Utah Jazz.
Okur had scored 9.6 points and 5.9 rebounds in average in Detroit Pistons last year.
(BRC-ULG) 28.07.2004