Miami Warmth’s Omer Yurtseven warms up earlier than Recreation 6 of the NBA Jap Convention finals in opposition to the Boston Celtics, Friday, Could 27, 2022. The Georgetown product signed with the Jazz on Monday. Michael Dwyer, Related Press
Miami Warmth heart Omer Yurtseven, left, appears to be like to regulate the ball as Miami Warmth ahead Haywood Highsmith defends as gamers participate in apply for Recreation 1 of the NBA basketball finals in opposition to the Denver Nuggets Wednesday, Could 31, 2023, in Denver. David Zalubowski, Related Press
The Utah Jazz have clearly been making an attempt to fortify their front-court depth this offseason.
First they signed Vernon Carey Jr. the day earlier than the group’s 2022-23 regular-season finale. They acquired to look at him work this offseason after which play within the Salt Lake Metropolis Summer season League earlier than deciding to go on him after a disappointing displaying.
Then Philadelphia 76ers restricted free agent Paul Reed signed a suggestion sheet with the Jazz. However on the ultimate hour the Sixers matched the supply and retained Reed.
Lastly the Jazz landed the sort of reserve heart they had been trying for in Ömer Yurtseven, signing him to a two-year deal, with the second yr nonguaranteed, on Monday.
The 25-year-old Turkish native went undrafted out of Georgetown, the place he was a switch from North Carolina State. However he ultimately landed with the Miami Warmth.
“That they had a extremely aggressive atmosphere, which allowed aggressive gamers to thrive and I actually appreciated that,” Yurtseven stated. “I sort of took that with me by way of making use of that to the whole lot — each drill, each day, each sport. However I believe extra so I’m trying ahead to what I’ll be capable of be taught and develop extra into right here.”
Yurtseven slotted properly into the Warmth’s rotation throughout the 2021-22 season, enjoying backup to Bam Adebayo and averaging 5.3 factors and 5.3 rebounds per sport. He additionally averaged 12 factors and 12.6 rebounds in his 12 begins for Miami that season.
Within the following preseason, after assembly with a number of docs, Yurtseven elected to have surgical procedure on his left ankle to wash up some nagging illnesses (bone spurs).
When the Warmth determined to not prolong a qualifying supply to Yurtseven this offseason, his agent Keith Glass made it fairly clear that they might be in search of a group outdoors Miami for the following alternative.
“Disillusioned with the harm, it was sort of a wasted yr for him,” Glass instructed the Miami Herald. “We’ll attempt to discover a place that values him and helps him attain his potential.”
After lacking greater than three months following the surgical procedure, Yurtseven solely appeared in 9 video games for the Warmth throughout the 2022-23 common season and solely sparingly in rubbish time throughout the playoffs.
“It was tough,” Yurtseven stated. “I believe the hardest half was that it was my first large harm and with that, I believe I realized lots. I upped the depth with the whole lot that I did. I used to coach twice a day and I bumped it as much as three. Now it was about staying constant and self-discipline and being energetic and proactive via all of it.”
Yurtseven is prone to be an occasional backup to heart Walker Kessler however may also be behind Kelly Olynyk within the rotation, relying on the opponent.
In an introductory interview with native reporters Tuesday, Yurtseven stated he has solely briefly spoken with head coach Will Hardy and CEO Danny Ainge and expects that his position will change into extra outlined because the offseason progresses and extra conversations are had.
Miami Warmth heart Omer Yurtseven, left, appears to be like to regulate the ball as Miami Warmth ahead Haywood Highsmith defends as gamers participate in apply for Recreation 1 of the NBA basketball finals in opposition to the Denver Nuggets Wednesday, Could 31, 2023, in Denver.
David Zalubowski, Related Press