Latest news with #UtahJazz
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Jazz coach Frank Layden passes away at 93
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4 Sports) – Former Utah Jazz head coach Frank Layden has passed away at the age of 93. Layden coached the Jazz from 1981-1988, going 277-294 in just over seven seasons. He stepped down during the 1988-89 season to allow Jerry Sloan to take over. Sloan went on to become a Hall of Fame coach. Layden then became the team president and general manager from 1988-1999. He began his career with the New Orleans Jazz as the general manager in 1979. Layden led the Jazz to a division title in the 1983-84 season when he was named the NBA Coach of the Year and NBA Executive of the Year. Layden was the coach when the Jazz drafted future Hall of Famers John Stockton and Karl Malone. The Miller Family issued a statement Wednesday night saying, 'We are sad to hear the news of Frank Layden's passing. Frank was not only a foundational part of the Utah Jazz, he was a pillar in our community. We will continue to celebrate his passion and energy that helped build the Jazz into a contending team, and his endearing sense of humor. Frank's love of sports was contagious. He could often be found spending a night at the ballpark with the Salt Lake Bees, leading us in song during the 7th inning stretch. He was a dear friend and remarkable partner. We share our love with Barbara, Scott and the extended Layden family.' Clayton scores 20 as Jazz complete unbeaten Summer League 'It's a sad day,' said Jazz play-by-play announcer Craig Bolerjack. 'It's a sad day for Utah, sad day for the Jazz. He brought everybody together, and I hope that's part of that legacy that people will remember as well.' Layden was known as one of the most charismatic and funniest coaches in American sports history. He often joked with fans, referees and the media, making fun of his weight and the Jazz early struggles. Once a fan asked Layden when the Jazz game as going to start at the Salt Palace, and the head coach famously replied, 'what time can you be there?' 'Frank was a lot of things wrapped in that body,' said former Jazz player Thurl Bailey. 'He was a human marketing machine for the Jazz when they really needed it. Even after he was retired, he would still be out in the community. You always see [his wife] Barbara with him for the most part. I mean, they were a team.' 'If we had a Mount Rushmore in Utah of significant sports figures, he'd be right there, right there at the top,' said former sportswriter Lee Benson. Layden started coaching at his alma mater, Niagara University in New York. After helping lead the program to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1970, Layden jumped to the NBA when he served as an assistant with Atlanta in 1976. Layden's son Scott was a Jazz assistant coach from 1981-92. The Jazz organization released the following statement: 'Frank Layden will always be an iconic figure in Utah Jazz history for the pivotal role he played in shaping the franchise as a coach, general manager, and president across a two-decade span. Frank coached the Jazz to their first five playoff appearances, and he had the distinction of drafting two future Hall of Famers and naming a third Hall of Famer as the coach to replace him. Frank accomplished so much in the sport of basketball – all with a sense of self-deprecating humor and lightheartedness that made him a colorful character who was beloved by all. The Jazz join his family, friends, and fans in mourning his loss and express endless gratitude for his invaluable contributions.' Current Jazz owners Ryan and Ashley Smith released a statement saying, 'It's hard to imagine the story of the Utah Jazz without the presence of Frank Layden. He was an amazing person who meant so much to this organization and to our fans. His love of the sport was felt around the NBA, and he set the franchise on a course for success, helping to build an enduring legacy for the state of Utah. Frank was known for his enthusiasm, commitment and humor, but his impact on Utah extended far beyond the court thanks to his generosity and community outreach efforts that made such a difference in people's lives. We are so grateful for all of the dedication, passion, and energy he put into helping make the Jazz who we are today. He will be missed by many, and we send our love to his family, especially to his wife Barbara, who was always by his side.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kyle Filipowski becomes 1st Utah Jazz player to earn NBA Summer League MVP
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Kyle Filipowski became the first Utah Jazz player to earn most valuable player honors in the NBA Summer League on Tuesday. Filipowski, a 6-foot-11 forward out of Duke, averaged a league-leading 29.3 points per contest over three games while adding 7.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He shot 56.1% from the field and 39.1% from 3-point range. Advertisement His best summer league performance came against San Antonio on July 14th when he finished with 35 points and 11 rebounds. He's hoping to use his summer league experience as a springboard for the role he wants to play with the Jazz in his second NBA season. 'Obviously it's different in summer league versus (the regular season),' Filipowski said, following the third and final summer league game for the Jazz. 'I'm just trying to be myself out there right now. However that translates to the season, that's how it's going to be. I'm going to make the most of it in that way.' Filipowski appeared in 72 games in his rookie campaign with Utah, making 27 starts. He averaged 9.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 21.2 minutes per game. By season's end, Filipowski was one of only two NBA rookies to total more than 650 points, 400 rebounds and 100 assists. ___ AP NBA:
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Sixers star Paul George changes stance on Jazz rookie Ace Bailey
"[Ace Bailey] wants to do it his way … I hate being that person to be like, 'Oh you should've done this.' Everybody has their own path.''PG opens up on how Ace handled his pre-draft process. Utah Jazz rookie Ace Bailey caught a lot of flack for his draft strategy leading up to the June 25 night. He canceled a workout with the Philadelphia 76ers--who held the No. 3 pick--as well as workouts with every other team who had an interest in the Rutgers star. Bailey fell to the Jazz with the No. 5 overall pick and will look to make an impact in Utah. He averaged 13.5 points and 7.0 rebounds in two summer league games--both in Salt Lake City--for the Jazz. Sixers star Paul George--who was a staunch Bailey supporter--questioned his draft strategy leading up to that night. On the latest episode of "Podcast P with Paul George", the Sixers' star changed his stance on the strategy: I want to kind of retract what I said. How can we get on a kid that kind of knows what he wants? We're not in his shoes. He wants to do it his way. He's good enough, he's got the talent, he's gonna go where he wants to go. That's his decision. It could have backfired, but it didn't. He's still in a great situation; he still gets to showcase what he could do. He had a great game too. He went crazy, showed his potential, a flash of it. Time will tell if Bailey will turn into the star player that many believe he can be with Utah. The Sixers, in turn, selected Baylor's VJ Edgecombe with the No. 3 overall pick as he looks to join a talented backcourt in Philadelphia. Bailey will look to give the Jazz that cornerstone piece they need to continue their rebuild.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
How former Wisconsin center Steven Crowl performed in Utah Jazz NBA Summer League finale
Former Wisconsin center Steven Crowl returned to the Utah Jazz's NBA Summer League rotation on Friday. After sitting out during the team's Wednesday win over the Washington Wizards, Crowl got 14 minutes of action during Friday's 105-92 defeat at the hands of the Chicago Bulls. In that playing time, the longtime Badger tallied two points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal. That point total came on a low-volume 1-of-2 shooting rate from the field and 0-of-1 from 3. The 14 minutes are the most that Crowl has received during Summer League action to date. He debuted back on Sunday, July 13, totaling just one rebound and a turnover in six minutes off the bench. Friday's workload was a significant step in the right direction as the center continues to work toward turning his Exhibit 10 contract into a two-way deal or a desirable contract overseas. Crowl averaged 25.7 minutes, 9.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and two assists per game during his Wisconsin career. His stellar senior season included per-game averages of 9.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists, plus shooting rates of 54% from the floor and 41.6% from 3. The combination of his size and floor-stretching ability is his ticket to a long-term professional contract. Since Friday was the Jazz's final Summer League contest, Crowl will now have to wait until October's preseason to continue his push for a roster spot. If he can't convert his Exhibit 10 deal into a two-way contract, the longtime Badger will likely head overseas. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
The talent that he has" – Dwyane Wade backs up Ace Bailey as Utah Jazz bet on their next star scorer
Dwyane Wade is the co-owner of Utah Jazz (Image via Instagram / @dwyanewade) Ace Bailey 's draft selection by the Utah Jazz was viewed as a risk due to his alleged lack of desire to play for the team. Now, recently, co-owner Dwyane Wade swiftly refuted the claims and explained why the team took him in. According to the NBA legend, he was too excellent to pass up. He further asserted that Ace Bailey has potential. Additionally, in a recent episode of The Timeout podcast, he praised the newcomer, who was chosen fifth overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. Dwyane Wade explains why the Utah Jazz couldn't ignore Ace Bailey's star potential despite pre-draft doubts Dwyane Wade recently discussed why the Utah Jazz took that chance by selecting Ace Bailey in his podcast, The Timeout. The NBA icon said: "Getting a young guy like Ace Bailey, the talent that he has, you cannot pass him up.. There is no way. Even though the rumor mill was saying that he wanted to go to certain teams, there's no way you can pass him up. He is too talented." Dwyane Wade on Utah Jazz Drafting Ace Bailey & Walter Clayton Jr. He went on to describe what it was about Ace Bailey that the Jazz found so enticing. Dwyane Wade even went so far as to draw a comparison between him and a fellow NBA player he had faced off against. He said: "He is one of those guys that just walk in the gym, and he can get you 30. He is just one of those Melo-type of scorer type of players, so (you) had to get him. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like You Won't Believe the Price of These Dubai Apartments Binghatti Developers FZE Get Offer Undo by Taboola by Taboola I thought Danny and the staff did an amazing job of grabbing a young fella." He then discussed why Utah is the ideal place for Ace Bailey on that same episode. Dwyane Wade then added: "As soon as he got there, he clocked in and went right to work.. He is going to be fine. I think, as he allows it, he is going to understand he is in a very good organization. He is in a very good spot to allow himself to grow: One as a young man, but also as a young basketball player in this league. I think it was a very good move for him." Dwyane Wade backed up Ace Bailey (Image via Instagram / @dwyanewade) Despite Ace Bailey's refusal to visit or train with the Utah Jazz before the draft, the team remained confident. The new head of basketball operations, Austin Ainge, scouted him extensively during his time with the Boston Celtics and had faith in his skills. Additionally, his attacking game is already excellent. Still, there is room for development. His next objectives are to improve his flexibility, core strength, and finishing through contact, in addition to refining his defensive engagement. If he can get better in those areas, he has real All-Star potential. Also read: Kevin Love reacts to reported three-team trade involving Miami Heat, Utah Jazz, and L.A. Clippers Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
