The Utah Jazz are set to celebrate four former All-Stars during the month of January prior to the team’s hosting of the 2023 NBA All-Star weekend, Feb. 17-19. Deron Williams, Mehmet Okur, and Leonard “Truck” Robinson will be in attendance for the game against Philadelphia on Jan. 14 with Adrian Dantley being recognized at the game against Dallas on Jan. 28.
The former All-Stars will be honored during the second timeout of the second quarter, allowing Jazz fans to show their appreciation for the players’ contributions to the organization.
Williams was drafted by the Utah Jazz with the third overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft and spent six seasons with the organization (2005-11), appearing in 439 games (406 starts), averaging 17.3 points, 9.1 assists, and 3.2 rebounds in 35.6 minutes per game. He led Utah to four postseason appearances, including the Western Conference Finals in 2007. He was twice named an All-Star with the Jazz (2010, 2011), also competing, and winning the NBA Skills Challenge in 2008 at All-Star Weekend. As a member of the United States Men’s National Team, Williams won gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics.
Okur joined the Jazz during the 2004-05 season and would go on to spend seven years with Utah, totaling 474 games (404 starts), owning averages of 15.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 31.7 minutes per game. A native of Turkey, Okur was named an All-Star during the 2006-07 season, where he helped Utah to a Western Conference Finals appearance. Prior to his stint in Utah, Okur was an NBA Champion as part of the 2003-04 Detroit Pistons. Known affectionately to Jazz fans as “Memo” or “the Money Man,” Okur was renowned for his clutch performances and shooting range from beyond the arc.
Robinson was a member of the Jazz before the franchise moved to Salt Lake City. He spent two seasons with New Orleans, averaging 23.2 points, 14.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.1 blocks from 1977-79 and was named an All-Star during the 1977-78 season. His 15.7 rebounds per game in 1977-78 were the most in the NBA that year and his 1,288 total rebounds that campaign still stand as a single-season franchise record. Robinson’s 44.4 minutes per contest in 1977-78 also still serve as a franchise single-season high.
Dantley enjoyed a 15-year basketball career, seven of which he spent with the Jazz (1979-86), playing in 461 games (303 starts) with Utah, owning averages of 29.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 38.8 minutes per game, twice earning NBA Scoring Champion honors (1980-81, 1983-84). During his time with the Jazz he was named an All-Star six times, ranking third in all-time franchise points scored (13,635) and free throws made (3,814), and fourth in field goals made (4,908). In 2008, Dantley was enshrined to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.