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Suns add Mehmet Okur to coaching staff

After drafting two teenage skilled big men in June, the Suns have hired Mehmet Okur as a player development coach to help them reach their potential.

Okur, 37, retired four years ago after a 10-season NBA career in which he was a 2007 All-Star and was known as a clutch NBA shooting big man. Okur is best known for his seven-year run in Utah, where his last season (2010-11) was spent with Suns head coach Earl Watson as a Jazz teammate and new Suns assistant coach Tyrone Corbin as the Jazz head coach.

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Okur will specialize in all Suns post players' skill development, joining a player development staff that also added Scott Duncan and Marlon Garnett and returns player development coach Jason Fraser.