Greg Ostertag

Gregory Donovan Ostertag (born March 6, 1973) is an American politician and former professional basketball player. A center, he spent most of his career with the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks.

In 2026, Ostertag was elected as mayor of Mount Vernon, Texas.

High school career Ostertag starred at Duncanville High School in Duncanville, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. He averaged 22.5 points and 13 rebounds per game during his senior season, and capped the year by leading the Panthers to the 1991 state championship, the first-ever for the school's boys basketball team.

College career After his high school career, Ostertag joined the basketball team at the University of Kansas. Standing and weighing , he helped the Jayhawks reach the NCAA Final Four in 1993. Statistically, his best season was his junior year (1993–94), when he averaged 10.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. He set a school record by blocking 97 shots that year. He graduated in 1995 with career totals of 968 points and 770 rebounds, along with 258 blocked shots — the highest total in the history of Kansas and the Big 8 Conference at that time (since surpassed by Jeff Withey).

Professional career The Utah Jazz selected Ostertag with the 28th pick in the first round of the 1995 NBA draft. Ostertag saw limited action in his rookie year, but emerged as Utah's starting center during his second season. The Jazz made back-to-back appearances in the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998, with Ostertag providing strong defense in the playoffs against the likes of Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, and Shaquille O'Neal.

The Jazz signed Ostertag to a long-term contract extension worth $39 million over six years. He led the NBA in blocked shot percentage twice (in 2000 and 2002) and was particularly good at gaining possession of the ball after blocking a shot. Ostertag's contract expired in 2004, making him a free agent in the league. After nine seasons in Utah, he joined the Sacramento Kings.

Ostertag played one year in Sacramento, before being traded twice in the same off-season, first to the Memphis Grizzlies, and later back to Utah in a "mega-trade" that involved five teams and 13 players — then the largest trade in NBA history. Ostertag played one final season (2005–06) with the Jazz. He played his final game on April 19, 2006, a home contest against the Golden State Warriors. Having previously announced his retirement, and that game being the last of the season, Ostertag received a standing ovation from Jazz fans. He played 3:36 in the game, all in the first quarter. He blocked a shot and grabbed a rebound, and missed two free throws. The Jazz won the game, giving the team a final record of 41–41 for the year, ensuring that Ostertag retired having never played for a losing team for his entire NBA career.

In December 2011, Ostertag returned to professional basketball. He signed with the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League. After playing 10 games with the Legends, however, he ended his comeback due to knee injury.

Personal life In 2002, Ostertag donated a kidney to save the life of his sister Amy (Hall) Ostertag, who was dying of complications from type 1 diabetes; upon his return he became the first player in NBA history to play after donating an organ. Ostertag is the co-founder of The Ostertag Group, an umbrella company that owns and operates Tag's Hometown Bar & Grill and Ostertag Construction. Ostertag is also a licensed realtor with Century 21 Harvey Properties. He also owns a sports bar in Mount Vernon, Texas. Ostertag also occasionally is a substitute teacher.

Political career In May 2026, Ostertag was elected as mayor of Mount Vernon, Texas. He ran on a nonpartisan platform and has aimed to revitalize the town especially downtown. It is a volunteer position. He is likely one of the tallest elected officials in the World.

Career statistics

NBA Source

Regular season

College Led Big 8 Conference

Electoral history