Latest news with #SaltLakeCity
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ace Bailey, No. 5 overall pick in 2025 NBA draft, set to report to Jazz on Saturday, team says
Utah Jazz rookie Ace Bailey is expected to report to the team on Saturday after an unusual draft process, in which Bailey declined to workout with individual teams ahead of the draft. A Jazz representative told ESPN's Jonathan Givony on Friday afternoon that Bailey will join his new team over the weekend with a Sunday press conference. "We've had good communication with Ace Bailey and his representatives. We feel good about everything. Ace and his family are coming to Utah tomorrow. We'll have a press conference Sunday, and a practice Monday." "This has always been the plan, including for our other rookies, Walter Clayton and John Tonje — to let them go home and collect their belongings, and then fly right to summer league from Salt Lake City." Advertisement Prior to the draft, it was reported that Bailey wanted to land with one of three teams. The Jazz were not one of the team's on Bailey's reported list. Despite that, the team took him with the No. 5 overall pick. After the draft, it was reported that one of Bailey's reps told a team in the top five that it should not select Bailey in the draft. It's unclear which team was told to stay away from the Rutgers guard. Bailey was asked about the situation after the Jazz selected him with the No. 5 overall pick on Wednesday. He didn't seem openly angry about it, instead giving a neutral answer and saying, "I can control what I control. How they feel [is] how they feel." The situation has only gotten murkier from there. Following Day 2 of the 2025 NBA Draft, Bailey's manager, Omar Cooper, declined to comment when asked about the former Rutgers' star's future in Utah. On Friday morning, however, Andrew Witlieb, the president of GSE Worldwide, which represents Bailey, appeared on a Front Office Sports podcast and said Bailey was excited about going to Utah. Advertisement "He's thrilled to be going to Utah," Witlieb said. "Obviously, it's an honor to be selected in the top five of the NBA Draft. We think he can do a lot of great things out there." The fact that Bailey had yet to report to the Jazz as of Friday morning isn't necessarily a big deal. Dallas Mavericks No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg waited until Friday to join his new team. The Jazz's other pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Walter Clayton Jr., has reportedly already joined the team. What happens if Bailey doesn't end up reporting to Utah? It's his option, though it would come with some ramifications. Advertisement If Bailey opts not to report to Utah, he is ineligible to play in the NBA this season. He also cannot return to play college basketball. He could play overseas, but doing so would mean Utah would retain his draft rights. If he doesn't report to Utah and doesn't play professionally elsewhere, he could re-enter the 2026 NBA Draft, where he still wouldn't have control of where he goes and runs the risk of being selected lower in the draft order. Who is Omar Cooper? Until Friday, Bailey's relationship with Cooper and GSE Worldwide was also unclear. Some outlets referred to Cooper as Bailey's agent despite reports Cooper is not a certified agent. Witlieb shed some light on that situation during his podcast appearance, referring to Cooper as Bailey's manager. Advertisement Witlieb said Cooper was focused on finding the best fit for Bailey, and was not necessarily concerned about how high Bailey was picked in the 2025 NBA Draft. "This was led by Bailey's long-time manager, Omar Cooper, who we are partnering on with this. And Omar really focused more on fit rather than going third in the draft kind of thing. He wanted some place where Ace could have the best possible basketball fit for his game. And we think Utah is one of the best places he could have gone." Cooper is listed as the "C.E.O and Founder of LifeStyle Sports Agency" on his Instagram page. A link to the agency's website leads to essentially a "coming soon" page. Despite GSE Worldwide officially representing Bailey, Cooper appears to have served as the main point person for a lot of comments and interviews regarding Bailey leading up to the 2025 NBA Draft. If Bailey truly doesn't want to play for the Jazz, he doesn't have many choices. The team reportedly has no interest in trading Bailey, per ESPN's Shams Charania.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
ESPN analyst says Ace Bailey was hoping to avoid Utah at all costs: "This was not one of his preferred destinations"
ESPN analyst says Ace Bailey was hoping to avoid Utah at all costs: "This was not one of his preferred destinations" originally appeared on Basketball Network. The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft is officially behind us. Cooper Flagg went No. 1 to Dallas, as everyone expected. There weren't any major shakeups at the top, no last-second trades or blockbuster picks to derail the board, at least not until we got to No. 5. Advertisement That's when things got interesting, to say the least. Ace Bailey, the ultra-talented Rutgers wing who'd spent the past year projected as a sure-shot top-three pick and, at one point, even made a serious case for going No. 2, unexpectedly slid down the draft board. It wasn't just about his game, at least not for the most part. The buzz leading up to draft night was that Bailey's camp had discouraged or outright declined workouts with several teams, including the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 3. That move sparked speculation that Bailey had been given some sort of assurance that he is going to one of his preferred destinations, namely the Washington Wizards. Bailey's reaction spoke more than a thousand words When NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced the Utah Jazz were selecting Bailey with the fifth pick, the room didn't exactly explode with celebration. In fact, the broadcast cameras quickly caught Bailey's face and let's just say he didn't look thrilled to be heading to Salt Lake City. Advertisement ESPN's Jonathan Givony didn't sugarcoat the moment either. Shortly after the pick was made, he gave a straightforward explanation of the situation. "This was not one of his preferred destinations… Utah… He was hoping to get to either Washington, New Orleans or Brooklyn," the ESPN analyst said with a touch of surprise. It was clear as day: this wasn't what Bailey or his team had envisioned. And yet, the Jazz front office didn't flinch. They still went ahead and drafted him anyway. That's just how this business works sometimes, especially when a front office believes it has a star in its hands, regardless of how excited that player may be to join the program. "The Utah Jazz selected Ace Bailey knowing that. This is a bit of a stunner. But if you think about it, this is an outstanding place for Ace Bailey. They have a wide open wing situation, they have a huge need for a star at this moment. I think Ace Bailey is going to recover from this really quickly," Givony added. Advertisement The Jazz clearly see something worth betting on. A raw but high-upside talent who hasn't even come close to scratching the surface of his potential. And while Bailey might not be thrilled right now, this could easily be the kind of low-pressure environment he needs to evolve into a legitimate two-way threat. Related: Tracy McGrady believes he was never put in the situation to win a ring: "Replace me with Kobe with Shaq... You don't think I can carry the Lakers to a championship?" Trader Danny has the vision Let's be clear: Utah's not exactly a free-agent destination, and they're a long way off from contending in the Western Conference. But they do have pieces. With Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks, and Walker Kessler already in place and Lauri Markkanen still in his prime, the Jazz have quietly assembled a roster that might surprise some people sooner than later. Advertisement At the top of it all sits Danny Ainge, the man they call "Trader Danny" for a reason. Ainge built his front office rep during his Boston Celtics days, where he pulled off one of the most lopsided trades in league history and drafted future cornerstones. Now, he is looking to do the same in Utah. He's got a vision, and he clearly believes Bailey fits it. Bailey might not feel like a Jazzer right now, and honestly, it showed. But if history has taught us anything, it's that Ainge doesn't make moves without thinking three steps ahead. Whether Ace believes it at this moment or not, Utah could end up being the best thing for his career. We will just have to wait and see what the future holds for this promising talent. Related: "I don't think there has ever been someone that played this hard as him all the time" - Cooper Flagg reveals the one thing he admires most about Larry Bird This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
"All they do is talk about my mama, my grandparents, my f—ng kids" - Vernon Maxwell on why he'll forever hate Utah Jazz fans
"All they do is talk about my mama, my grandparents, my f—ng kids" - Vernon Maxwell on why he'll forever hate Utah Jazz fans originally appeared on Basketball Network. Though more than two decades have passed since Vernon Maxwell's final NBA seasons, his feelings about playing in Utah, home of the Jazz, remain anything but subtle. From referring to the fans as "farm animals" to seizing every opportunity to criticize the state, it's evident that Mad Max harbors a deep-seated disdain for Utah. Advertisement But where did this animosity originate? As Maxwell revealed in a recent interview on Byron Scott's podcast, it all stems from the relentless taunting he received from Jazz fans during games. A raucous fanbase With the Jazz being the only big-time professional team in town, it's no surprise the residents of Utah are fiercely protective of their beloved NBA franchise. This intense allegiance to the team translates into a loud and passionate fan base, who are known for making life difficult for opposing players. There have been many occasions where jeers outweighed cheers, leading to tense confrontations between visiting players and the Jazz's home fans. In fact, things got so bad in 2019 that the Jazz's team owner, Gail Miller, stood at halfcourt to address some fans' behaviors. But judging from Maxwell's latest tirade, he has yet to forget about how he was treated every time he played in Salt Lake City. Advertisement "I can't stand them MFers," he emphatically said. "Them MFers harassed the s—t out of me off so bad up there, man. I mean, that was one trip — I said to the NBA, 'I could not stand to go on that damn road trip to Utah.' I'd be like, 'Oh man, we going up here with these redneck MFers. All they do is talk about my mama, my grandparents, my f—king kids — MFers talk about me." What sets the NBA apart from other professional sports leagues in the United States is the fans' proximity to the players. In the National Football League and Major League Baseball, fans watch the action from a comfortable distance. In contrast, NBA fans sit just steps away from the court, offering a unique opportunity to interact with players in a way that fans of other sports leagues rarely experience. Related: "We gave them a champion, and we didn't get Zion?" - Arenas isn't pleased with the Wizards' giving away Jordan Poole A vendetta against Utah Maxwell isn't the only player who has spoken about their bitter experiences playing in Utah. Russell Westbrook has had heated exchanges with Jazz fans due to derogatory comments made towards him. In addition, even former Jazz All-Star Donovan Mitchell has mentioned feeling drained from dealing with off-the-court issues in Utah. Advertisement "As far as Utah, it became a lot to have to deal with on a nightly basis. I got pulled over once. I got an attitude from a cop until I gave him my ID. And that forever made me wonder what happens to the young Black kid in Utah that doesn't have that power to just be like, 'This is who I am,'" he remarked. However, Maxwell's vendetta with Utah doesn't appear to end soon. "I'm like, 'Man, f—k Utah.' When I got a platform, I could talk about your MFers, I was going to kill them. And that's why I'm killing you MFers every time I get on a f—king platform," he concluded. Sports fans are passionate and some will go to great lengths to get opposing players off their games. However, there's a fine line between decency and fandom, one that must never be crossed, even in the heat of battle. Advertisement Related: "'F—k the education! Go get your f—ng money'" - Vernon Maxwell claims he was one of the first to advise Kobe Bryant to skip college This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Security National Financial Corporation set to join Russell 3000® Index
SALT LAKE CITY, June 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Security National Financial Corporation (SNFCA) joined the broad-market Russell 3000 Index at the conclusion of the 2025 Russell indexes annual reconstitutions, effective after the US market opens on June 30, 2025. The annual Russell reconstitutions capture the 4,000 largest US stocks as of April 30th, ranking them by total market capitalization. Membership in the US all-cap Russell 3000® Index, which remains in place for one year, means automatic inclusion in either the large-cap Russell 1000 Index or the small-cap Russell 2000 Index, as well as the appropriate growth and value style indexes. FTSE Russell determines membership for its Russell indexes primarily by objective, market-capitalization rankings and style attributes. Scott Quist, President and Chairman of the Board for Security National Financial Corporation stated 'Security National has always strived to provide strong returns for our investors and provide an investment vehicle that is stable. The inclusion of Security National in the Russell 3000 this year is evidence of our continued efforts.' Russell indexes are widely used by investment managers and institutional investors for index funds and as benchmarks for active investment strategies. According to data as of the end of June 2024, about $10.6 trillion in assets are benchmarked against the Russell US indexes, which belong to FTSE Russell, the global index provider. Fiona Bassett, CEO of FTSE Russell, an LSEG business, comments: 'The Russell indexes have continuously adapted to the evolving dynamic US economy, and it's crucial to fully recalibrate the suite of Russell US Indexes, ensuring the indexes maintain an accurate representation of the market. The transition to a semi-annual reconstitution frequency from 2026 will ensure our indexes continue to represent the market and maintain the purpose of the index as a portfolio benchmark.' For more information on the Russell 3000® Index and the Russell indexes reconstitution, go to the 'Russell Reconstitution' section on the FTSE Russell website. About Security National Financial Corporation: Founded in 1965, Security National Financial Corporation operates in three business segments. The Company sells and services selected lines of life insurance, annuity products, and accident and health insurance, operates cemeteries in Utah, New Mexico and California and mortuaries in Utah and New Mexico, and originates and underwrites residential and commercial loans for new construction and existing homes. About FTSE Russell:FTSE Russell is a global index leader that provides innovative benchmarking, analytics and data solutions for investors worldwide. FTSE Russell calculates thousands of indexes that measure and benchmark markets and asset classes in more than 70 countries, covering 98% of the investable market globally. FTSE Russell index expertise and products are used extensively by institutional and retail investors globally. Approximately $18.1 trillion is benchmarked to FTSE Russell indexes. Leading asset owners, asset managers, ETF providers and investment banks choose FTSE Russell indexes to benchmark their investment performance and create ETFs, structured products and index-based derivatives. A core set of universal principles guides FTSE Russell index design and management: a transparent rules-based methodology is informed by independent committees of leading market participants. FTSE Russell is focused on applying the highest industry standards in index design and governance and embraces the IOSCO Principles. FTSE Russell is also focused on index innovation and customer partnerships as it seeks to enhance the breadth, depth and reach of its offering. FTSE Russell is wholly owned by London Stock Exchange Group. For more information, visit FTSE Russell. Contact: Scott M. Quist or Garrett S. SillSecurity National Financial CorporationP.O. Box 57250Salt Lake City, Utah 84157(Telephone) (801) 264-1060(Fax) (801) 264-8430Website: This press release contains statements that, if not verifiable historical fact, may be viewed as forward-looking statements that could predict future events or outcomes with respect to the Company and its business. The predictions in these statements will involve risk and uncertainties and, accordingly, actual results may differ significantly from the results discussed or implied in such forward-looking in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Reuters
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Report: No. 5 pick Ace Bailey plans to report to Jazz Saturday
June 27 - After an unconventional approach to the 2025 NBA Draft that saw his stock take a slight dip to land at No. 5, Ace Bailey will report Saturday to his new team, the Utah Jazz, according to ESPN. "We've had good communication with Ace Bailey and his representatives," a Jazz representative told ESPN Friday. "We feel good about everything. Ace and his family are coming to Utah tomorrow. We'll have a press conference Sunday and a practice Monday. "This has always been the plan, including for our other rookies, Walter Clayton and John Tonje -- to let them go home and collect their belongings, and then fly right to summer league from Salt Lake City." Bailey took a sometimes confounding and confusing route to Wednesday's draft. A freshman 18-year-old with one season at Rutgers and a McDonald's All-American resume before that, multiple NBA teams attempted to get to know Bailey the player, person and prospect a little bit better in the five weeks leading up to the draft. But Bailey canceled all public workouts with teams, a stance that surprised some established NBA players and may have contributed to Bailey going from being projected in the top three to being taken with the No. 5 pick. However, Bailey's agent, Omar Cooper, argued there was "nothing uncommon" about how the pre-draft was handled. "Every NBA team watched him work out in Chicago," Cooper said, per ESPN. "He did 18 interviews. Everyone got his medical. They watched him run and jump. They got his measurements. They watched him shoot in drills. "No one said anything when Davion Mitchell canceled a workout with the Toronto Raptors for the No. 4 pick. No one criticized Evan Mobley when he didn't work out for Cleveland, and they drafted him anyway." Utah's decision to pick Bailey is one that Jazz president of basketball operations Austin Ainge said was extremely simple despite public concern about Bailey's refusal to work out for teams before the draft. "We do a lot of background calls and work on guys and everyone loves being around Ace," Ainge said. "He's fun, smiles every day. Just a breath of fresh air in the gym. We were able to speak with him. He was super excited. We're super excited. We're expecting a very bright future." A native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Bailey averaged 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds in 2024-25 for Rutgers. --Field Level Media
