Greg Ostertag

Gregory Donovan Ostertag ( born March 6, 1973 in Dallas, Texas ) is a former American professional basketball player. In his ten year career, the 2.18 m wide center played for the Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings in the NBA. During his career, Ostertag was considered one of the best shot blockers in the league.

Career

After his visit to the Duncanville High School in Texas Ostertag moved to the University of Kansas. After four years for the Jayhawks Ostertag 1995 was drafted by the Utah Jazz in the first round to 28th. Ostertag quickly established itself as a center of jazz star border and reached with these in 1997 and 1998 NBA Finals. However, the Jazz failed both times to the Chicago Bulls. Ostertag was in those years a good defense against dominant center like Shaquille O'Neal or Hakeem Olajuwon, but was generally considered very offensively limited center. 2004 Ostertag joined as a free agent with the Sacramento Kings, but it was 2005 again transferred back to the Jazz. After a season for the Jazz finished Ostertag 2006 his career. In his NBA career, it brought Ostertag on average 4.4 points; 5.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.

In December 2011, Ostertag announced that he had signed a contract with the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League, and he would try again to start with basketball. Due to a knee injury but Ostertag went on only in ten games for the Legends.

Private

2002 Ostertag donated his sister Amy Hall a kidney. He was the first player in the NBA history who donated an organ and returned to professional sports. Since then, Ostertag committed to organ donation.

Bests

  • Points: 25
  • Rebounds: 21
  • Assists: 6
  • Steals: 3
  • Blocks: 11
  • Minutes played: 49
Center (Basketball) 1995 NBA draft National Basketball Association Rebound (Basketball)
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