Latest news with #Utah
Yahoo
35 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
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"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
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers Named Favorites to Land Ace Bailey After Jazz News
Lakers Named Favorites to Land Ace Bailey After Jazz News originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In a bit of a shocking move, the Utah Jazz selected Rutgers forward Ace Bailey with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Bailey reportedly declined a workout with the Jazz prior to the draft, making the team's choice to select him a confusing one. Advertisement Furthermore, according to recent reports, Bailey is "having second thoughts about reporting to the Jazz" and reportedly did not fly out to Utah following the draft. "Reports surfaced that Ace Bailey is having second thoughts about reporting to the Jazz, which has forced the organization to address the situation," the Athletic posted on Friday. "The Rutgers product was clearly and visibly not happy being selected by Utah. But the Jazz did the necessary thing." Following the latest news surrounding Bailey's status with the Jazz, in another surprising turn, the Los Angeles Lakers (+235) have been named the favorites to land the 18-year-old if Utah opts to move him. Advertisement Alongside the Lakers, the Dallas Mavericks (+350) have the second-highest odds to trade for Bailey despite selecting Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick. The Phoenix Suns (+400), Toronto Raptors (+450), and Miami Heat (+575) round out the rest of the top five. If Los Angeles were to trade for Bailey, that would add a lot of intrigue to the team. This offseason, the Lakers will look to bolster their roster and build around star Luka Doncic, whose first full year with the team will be next season. Pairing Doncic with a potential young star in Bailey would be exciting. Additionally, LeBron James has yet to make a decision on his $52.6 million player option this offseason. If he chooses to return to the Lakers, and if they were to acquire Bailey, the team would likely inch even closer to legitimate title contention. Advertisement Nothing is official yet, but Bailey's status in Utah will be worth monitoring this summer. If the Jazz decide to trade him, there will likely be a few teams interested in his services, and that may include the Lakers at the top of the list. Related: LeBron James Called to Retire by Former NBA All-Star Related: Jayson Tatum Makes Cooper Flagg Gesture After NBA Draft This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Utah News Dispatch brings home 12 awards in Utah Headliners journalism contest
Utah News Dispatch won 12 awards in the Utah Headliners 2025 contest, including four first-place wins. (McKenzie Romero/Utah News Dispatch) Utah News Dispatch claimed 12 awards, including four first-place wins, in this year's Utah Headliners statewide journalism contest, which recognizes top journalism in writing and reporting, TV, radio and online news. The highly competitive local journalism contest drew more than 1,200 entries, said Emma Penrod, president of the Utah Headliners, the state's professional chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Entries featured work published in 2024, Utah News Dispatch's first year reporting since launching Jan. 9, 2024. The Dispatch's four-person team competed in the large newsroom division, squaring off with the largest and longest-running news outlets in the state. The Utah News Dispatch voter guide won the contest's inaugural 'News you can use' category, with judges saying: 'An interactive, stellar example of service journalism, this piece excels in delivering practical, timely information that empowers readers to engage in the democratic process.' Reporter Kyle Dunphey won this year's continuing coverage award for his dogged reporting on the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, which since 1990 had compensated eligible residents in Western states who were made sick by radiation from U.S. weapons testing and development in the '50s and '60s but lapsed last summer when Congress failed to take action to continue it. The judges said: 'While a smaller media site, the Utah News Dispatch did an exemplary job of explaining why RECA is so important and how the legislation's future could affect so many. It was consequential and well-executed, making politics in DC a meat-and-potatoes issue for so many Utahns. Well done!' Senior Reporter Katie McKellar claimed two first-place wins. Her profile of innovative homeless service provider Switchpoint and its accountability-focused model won the Homelessness and Housing category, and she led the Longform Storytelling entries with her heartfelt report on a Utah man's horseback ride across the country to spotlight the crisis facing wild mustangs. McKellar was also recognized with an honorable mention in the prestigious Best News Reporter category. Here's a complete list of Utah News Dispatch's awards: 1st Place Writing and Reporting – Division A: Continuing coverage RECA in Utah Kyle Dunphey 1st Place Writing and Reporting – Division A: Homelessness and Housing Inside the old school that's now housing Utah's homeless Katie McKellar 1st Place Writing and Reporting – Division A: Longform Storytelling Utah horseman concludes 6,000-mile ride through 25 states to spotlight the wild horse crisis Katie McKellar 1st Place Writing and Reporting – Division A: News You Can Use Utah News Dispatch voter guide Utah News Dispatch staff 2nd Place Online: Best Newsletter Your Daily Dispatch Utah News Dispatch 2nd Place Writing and Reporting – Division A: Criminal justice Utah executes Taberon Honie by lethal injection Kyle Dunphey 2nd Place Writing and Reporting – Division A: Climate and Environment Installing carbon capture in Utah would be tough. But is that debate missing the point? Alixel Cabrera 3rd Place Online: Best News-oriented Website Utah News Dispatch Utah News Dispatch staff 3rd Place Writing and Reporting – Division A: Government With new laws, is Utah holding criminals accountable or adding to mass incarceration? Kyle Dunphey 3rd Place Writing and Reporting – Division A: Growth and Development How much of Utah's housing market is corporate-owned? Katie McKellar Honorable Mention Writing and Reporting – Division A: Best News Reporter Katie McKellar Honorable Mention Writing and Reporting – Division A: Series Can you improve indoor air quality? These Utahns let sensors track their every move Alixel Cabrera, Utah News Dispatch and Saige Miller, KUER
