MOUNT VERNON, Texas (KLTV) - Former NBA player Greg Ostertag will tell you he sticks out like a sore thumb.
The former Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings player is used to the spotlight, but instead of the hardwood, that attention will now be on City Hall; on Monday, he was sworn in as mayor of Mount Vernon following his election victory [earlier this month](https://www.kltv.com/2026/05/03/hardwood-city-hall-mount-vernon-elects-former-nba-center-greg-ostertag-mayor/).
“This town has come a long way in 10 years, and I think it could still get better,” Ostertag said.
Ostertag moved to Mount Vernon over a decade ago. Now, he works as a real estate agent, substitutes in the school system, and operates Tag’s, a restaurant in downtown Mount Vernon.
Former NBA player Greg Ostertag is now the mayor of Mount Vernon(Michael Richardson/KLTV)
An animal lover, he has a farm outside the city, with a zebra and two camels named Harold and Norman.
Ostertag is looking to bring some festivities back to the square and wants to let folks know what’s happening in Mount Vernon.
“I don’t feel like I’m running as a politician; I feel like I’m running as a resident of the town, of a town that’s accepted my wife and I as part of this town, and wanting to see its continued success to be a destination town,” added Ostertag.
He mentioned being mayor will be a learning experience, from running meetings to building a budget.
“When you’re playing a competitive sport like basketball, you’re playing to win; you’re playing to be successful. And I think that’s how you can kind of put that together here. I did this for the town to be successful,” Ostertag said. “I’ll need help from the outside and getting to understand it a little better, looking at it, and again, making the math work. The math has got to work before you start spending money on stuff.”
Ostertag’s term lasts two years.
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