NBA's concerns nixed son of Ace Bailey's manager joining Jazz as guest summer league coach
Omar Cooper Jr. is the son of Ace Bailey's manager, Omar Cooper, and the Jazz had hired the younger Cooper to help ease the former Rutgers star's transition into the NBA, ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported, but the league grew concerned about the idea.
Cooper Jr. had just finished his time at McNeese State and is planning on going into coaching, and the Jazz wanted him to work as an unpaid guest coach during the Salt Lake summer league.
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Ace Bailey of the Utah Jazz is pressured by VJ Edgecombe #77 and Justin Edwards of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of their NBA Summer League game on July 5, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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However, a source told ESPN that the plan had been scrapped after the NBA had reached out to the team.
Bailey played in his first Summer League game on Saturday and finished with eight points as the Jazz defeated the 76ers 93-89. Utah has liked what it's seen in terms of Bailey's work ethic since he's arrived. He also grabbed seven rebounds in the game.
'He's an NBA body and athlete. He's a great teammate too,' Jazz coach Will Hardy told ESPN. 'I've had nothing but positive reviews from all the coaches and his teammates this first week.'
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Plenty had been made about Bailey and the Jazz after the team took him fifth overall in the NBA draft last month amid rumors that Utah was one of the teams he didn't want to play for.
Bailey told reporters during an introductory press conference late last month that he was 'blessed' to be able to play for the Jazz and shot down the idea he wasn't going to play for them.
'No, not at all. I mean, just blessed to be in this position. Not a lot of people sit in these chairs and have great teammates as I got on [here],' Bailey said. 'So I'm just blessed to be here.'
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When asked what he brings to the Jazz's roster, he described himself as a player who can 'bring a lot in different ways.'
Bailey and the Jazz will be back on the court on Monday night for more Summer League action when they face the Grizzlies.
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