Omer Yurtseven Finds New Home with Utah Jazz After Miami Heat Stint

July 19, 2023

Former Miami Heat center Omer Yurtseven has found a new home with the Utah Jazz after falling out of the rotation in Miami. Once seen as the Heat’s promising developmental project, Yurtseven’s time with the team was short-lived. The Utah Jazz announced his signing via Twitter on Monday evening.

Yurtseven, who went undrafted out of Georgetown, had a remarkable rookie season in 2021-22 and was expected to continue his breakout development after earning a spot in the rotation. However, his fortunes took a turn during the playoffs, and he became an afterthought.

Unfortunately, Yurtseven’s progress was hindered by a foot injury that caused him to miss the start of last season. He struggled to regain his place in the rotation and only averaged 9.2 minutes in nine appearances. The Miami Heat seemed more focused on developing Orlando Robinson, who showcased his skills and potential during the NBA Summer League in Vegas.

Robinson’s impressive performance earned him a spot on the All-Summer League first team and made the Heat more inclined to invest in his development. As a result, Yurtseven’s opportunities dwindled, leading him to seek a fresh start with the Utah Jazz.