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Utah Jazz waive Paris Bass and Xavier Sneed

The Utah Jazz have waived forwards Paris Bass and Xavier Sneed.

Bass (6-8, 200, Detroit-Mercy) spent the 2021-22 season with the Phoenix Suns and the South Bay Lakers of the NBA G League. With the Suns, he appeared in two games, averaging 3.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 3.5 minutes per contest and with South Bay posted averages of 17.4 points, 7.0 boards, 1.7 assists, and 1.4 steals in 26 games (one start).

Sneed (6-5, 215, Kansas State) appeared in seven games during the 2021-22 season with the Jazz on a two-way contract. He averaged 15.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.3 steals in 15 games last season with the Salt Lake City Stars.

Atlanta Hawks sign Malik Ellison

The Atlanta Hawks have signed guard Malik Ellison.

It’s likely a non-guaranteed deal that merely brings Ellison to Hawks training camp.

Ellison, the son of Savannah native and former No. 1 overall pick Pervis Ellison, appeared in 40 total games (14 starts) with the College Park Skyhawks during the 2021-22 NBA G League season, averaging 8.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in 24.9 minutes (.471 FG%, .383 3FG%, .754 FT%). He signed a 10-day contract with Atlanta on Dec. 25, 2021, becoming one of six Skyhawks to earn an NBA Call-Up last season.

The 6-6 guard saw action in four NBA 2K23 Summer League contests and two Salt Lake City Summer League matches, suiting up for the Philadelphia 76ers. In total, he appeared in six games (three starts), notching 7.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 19.1 minutes (.625 FG%, 1.000 FT%).

Ellison played collegiately at St. John’s (2015-17), Pittsburgh (2018-19) and Hartford (2019-20). As a senior at Hartford, he appeared in 23 games (all starts), registering 18.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 34.8 minutes, garnering America East First Team honors (.514 FG%, .630 FT%). Throughout his collegiate career, he saw action in 112 contests (74 starts), notching 9.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 24.8 minutes (.455 FG%, .304 3FG%, .612 FT%).

G League: Long Island Nets name J.R. Holden as GM, Ronnie Burrell as head coach

The Long Island Nets, the NBA G League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets, have named J.R. Holden as general manager and Ronnie Burrell as head coach. The team has also named Matt MacDonald as assistant general manager.

“J.R., Ronnie and Matt bring extensive experience to Long Island, and we’re thrilled to have them lead the Long Island Nets,” said Brooklyn Nets General Manager Sean Marks. “They have all grown tremendously as individuals during their time in the Nets organization and have shown what it takes to identify and develop promising players throughout their careers. We look forward to seeing how they’ll shape the next generation of prospects that play on Long Island.”

Holden becomes the third general manager in team history after spending the past three seasons as director of pro personnel for the Brooklyn Nets. He originally joined the Nets after spending the 2018-19 season as a scout with the Philadelphia 76ers. Prior to his stint with the Sixers, Holden spent four years with the Detroit Pistons as an international and college scout (2014-16), and the franchise’s director of international scouting (2016-18). The Pittsburgh native played 13 professional seasons overseas (1998-2011), including nine years (2002-11) with CSKA Moscow, where he was part of nine straight Russian League championship teams. Holden also appeared in eight straight EuroLeague Final Fours, winning two titles, and was named to the EuroLeague’s 2001-10 All-Decade Team. The Bucknell University alumnus became a Russian citizen in 2003 and helped lead Russia to the FIBA EuroBasket 2007 championship.

Burrell becomes the sixth head coach in team history and rejoins the Nets organization after spending the 2019-20 season as an assistant coach with Long Island and the 2018-19 season as a player development and video assistant with Brooklyn. Most recently, Burrell spent the 2021-22 season as an assistant coach with the College Park Skyhawks in the NBA G League and the previous season as a player development coordinator with the Chicago Bulls. Prior to joining the Nets in 2018, Burrell worked as a graduate assistant with the men’s basketball team at Florida Atlantic University while earning his Master of Business Administration. The Montclair, N.J., native previously played 11 professional seasons (2005-2016) in France, Germany and Poland after a four-year collegiate playing career (2001-05) at UNC Greensboro.

MacDonald becomes the third assistant general manager in team history after spending the last two seasons as scouting operations coordinator for the Brooklyn Nets. He originally joined the Nets during the 2018-19 season as a basketball operations assistant. Prior to beginning his professional career, MacDonald played two collegiate seasons (2013-15) at Fairleigh Dickinson before transferring to University of Pennsylvania, where he was named team captain for his final two seasons (2016-18).

Utah Jazz announce full coaching staff for the 2022-23 NBA season

The Utah Jazz announced today that Alex Jensen, Lamar Skeeter, and Bryan Bailey will serve as assistant coaches on first-year head coach Will Hardy’s staff with Evan Bradds, Irv Roland, Sean Sheldon, and Jason Terry. Chris Jones and Sanjay Lumpkin will serve as player development coaches. In addition, Jeff Hornacek will rejoin the Jazz as a coaching consultant, and Becca Ward will serve as director of team operations.

Jensen will enter his 10th season as assistant coach for the Utah Jazz. Jensen’s coaching experience includes one season as a player development assistant with the Jazz and two seasons as the head coach of the NBA Development League’s Canton Charge. Jensen served as head coach of the 2022 USA Basketball AmeriCup Team, which earned bronze at the 2022 FIBA AmeriCup.

Skeeter concluded his sixth season as an assistant coach with the Jazz in 2021-22 after spending the previous two seasons as a player development/video analyst. Before moving to Salt Lake City, Skeeter spent a season with the Atlanta Hawks as a basketball operations intern in the summer of 2013 before transitioning into the player development/video intern for the 2013-14 campaign.

Bailey concluded his third season with the Jazz player development department in 2021-22 after spending the previous two seasons as an assistant coach for the Salt Lake City Stars. Prior to joining the Stars, he spent the 2016-17 season as an assistant coach for the Westchester Knicks of the NBA G League.

Bradds will join the Utah coaching staff, most recently serving as a player enhancement coach for the Boston Celtics in 2021-22. He has additional coaching experience as an assistant for the G League’s Maine Red Claws in 2017-18 and as a video analyst with the Celtics (2018-20).

Terry joins the Jazz after most recently being the head coach of the G League’s Grand Rapids Gold in 2021-22 and an assistant coach at the University of Arizona in 2020-21. Prior to his coaching professions, Terry had an illustrious 19-year NBA career (1999-18), playing for six different teams and earning an NBA Championship in 2011 with the Dallas Mavericks.

Roland will enter his second year on the organization coaching staff. Roland is a longtime basketball coach, player development specialist, player, and basketball trainer, having last coached in the NBA with the Houston Rockets. He got his start in the NBA in 2004 as a video assistant with the Boston Celtics and went on to work in various roles in video and player development with the Hornets, Suns and Rockets.

Sheldon will be in his first season on the Jazz coaching staff, previously spending five seasons with the San Antonio Spurs in various capacities, including head video coordinator, assistant video coordinator and quality assurance assistant. Prior to his time with the Spurs, he served as a graduate assistant at Michigan State while earning his master’s degree in 2017-18. Prior to entering coaching, he played professionally in Switzerland in 2016-17 after a four-year career at William and Mary.

Jones is in his fourth season, and Lumpkin is in his third season with the team, previously serving in the development/advance scouting and video department. Jones was a four-year collegiate player at Pittsburgh (2013-17) and Lumpkin competed five seasons at Northwestern (2012-17) going on to play two seasons in the NBA G League with the then Erie BayHawks (2018-20).

Hornacek rejoins the Jazz previously serving as an assistant coach with the franchise from 2011-13. He has other prior coaching experience with the Houston Rockets as an assistant (2020-22), head coach of the New York Knicks (2016-18) and Phoenix Suns (2013-16). As a player, he appeared in 1077 games (910 starts) with Phoenix (1986-92), Philadelphia (1993-94) and Utah (1994-00). His jersey was retired by the Jazz on Nov. 19, 2002.

Additionally, Anthony Beaumont will serve as video coordinator with Andrew Warren and Matthew Temple serving as assistant video coordinators on Hardy’s staff.

Atlanta Hawks will hold open practice for fans on September 28, 2022

The Atlanta Hawks today announced the date and time for their 2022 Open Practice: Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at State Farm Arena.

The team’s Open Practice, run by Hawks Head Coach Nate McMillan, is a chance for fans to watch a real NBA practice and get a first look at the team’s 2022-23 roster, which features All-NBA Third Team guard Trae Young and 2022 NBA All-Star guard Dejounte Murray.

“The buzz surrounding the Hawks this offseason has been amazing, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome fans back to the award-winning State Farm Arena,” said Hawks CEO Steve Koonin. “Our Open Practice presented by Sharecare is an incredible opportunity to see our team’s newest players and learn about the hard work that our players put in on a daily basis.”

Members from Hawks Entertainment teams including PA announcer Big Tigger, in-game host Shamea Morton and DJ MoHawk will be on site. Harry the Hawk, the ATL Hawks Dancers and the Flight Crew will join them.

Fans should enter State Farm Arena through Gates 1-5 as doors will open at 6 p.m. Seating is general admission. Fans can purchase tickets for $5 at Ticketmaster.com. All ticket proceeds will go to the Atlanta Hawks Foundation.

Hornets unveil Statement Edition uniform for 2022-23 NBA season

The Charlotte Hornets today unveiled a new Statement Edition uniform to be worn starting with the 2022-23 NBA season.

Per the team:

The Statement Edition uniform remains purple but now features a “Hornets” wordmark on the chest in white with teal trim. The numbers on the front and back of the jersey follow the same design, while the player name on the back is white with no outline. The word “Charlotte” appears on the bottom left front above the jocktag. The side panels feature a teal cell pattern that continues onto the shorts in a design inspired by a stinger. The shorts include a “C-cell” logo on the waistband and the team’s secondary logo on each leg. Both the jersey and shorts have a tone-on-tone cell pattern at the openings for the neck, arms and legs. For the 2022-23 season, the jersey also includes the No. 6 patch that will be worn on the right shoulder of all NBA uniforms in memory of Bill Russell.

Like all Hornets uniforms, the right chest of the Statement Edition jersey features the Jumpman logo of NIKE, Inc.’s Jordan Brand and the left chest sports the logo of LendingTree, now in its sixth season as the team’s Official Jersey Patch Partner.

Timberwolves reveal Statement Edition uniforms for 2022-23 NBA season

The Minnesota Timberwolves today unveiled their Statement Edition uniforms for the 2022-23 NBA season.

Per the team: “Inspired by a wolfpack’s nighttime journey under the eye and vibrancy of the Northern Lights, the uniform features a contrasting colorway of the team’s Statement Aurora Green and new Shadow Grey.”

“Like the team’s namesake on the hunt under the Northern Lights, the Timberwolves Statement Edition uniform is reflective and representative of the team’s alter ego and carries a confident and driven attitude,” said Timberwolves and Lynx Chief Marketing Officer Mike Grahl. “Fans will get to feel and bring a whole new energy to Statement Saturdays.”

Utah Jazz sign Paris Bass

The Utah Jazz yesterday signed forward Paris Bass.

Bass (6-8, 200, Detroit-Mercy) joins the Jazz after most recently spending the 2021-22 season with the Phoenix Suns and the South Bay Lakers of the NBA G League. With the Suns, he appeared in two games, averaging 3.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 3.5 minutes per contest and with South Bay posted averages of 17.4 points, 7.0 boards, 1.7 assists, and 1.4 steals in 26 games (one start).

The native of Birmingham, Mich., has additional professional experience playing in the BSN of Puerto Rico with Atleticos de San German in 2019-20 and 2020-21. During the 2020-21 season, he posted averages of 22.9 points on 50.1 percent from the field, along with 9.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.3 steals in 34.4 minutes per contest. During the 2016-17 season, he competed for the Erie BayHawks of the G League, appearing in 15 games, and averaging 3.9 points and 2.7 rebounds.

Sacramento Kings sign KZ Okpala

The Sacramento Kings yesterday signed forward KZ Okpala, according to General Manager Monte McNair.

A 6-8 forward, Okpala spent the last three seasons with the Miami Heat (2019-22), who selected him with the 32nd pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Per the Sacramento Bee, “Okpala is already well acquainted with Kings coach Mike Brown, assistant coaches Jordi Fernandez and Luke Loucks and new teammate Chimezie Metu from their time together with the Nigerian national team. Brown coached the team at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Okpala will likely find himself fighting for one of the team’s final roster spots and an opportunity to earn a backup role. He has logged most of his NBA minutes at power forward, but the Kings believe he can defend multiple positions.”

Suns owner Robert Sarver suspended for one year and fined $10 million by NBA

The NBA today issued the following statement:

Following the publication of a November 4, 2021, ESPN.com article regarding statements and conduct of Robert Sarver, Managing Partner of the Phoenix Suns and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, and issues relating to the teams’ workplace, the NBA commissioned an independent investigation by the law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. David Anders and Sarah Eddy, partners at the firm, led the investigation.

The report of the independent investigation, which was issued publicly today, was based on information gathered from interviews with 320 individuals, including current and former employees who worked for the teams during Mr. Sarver’s 18-year tenure as Managing Partner, Mr. Sarver, and other relevant individuals; and from the evaluation of more than 80,000 documents and other materials, including emails, text messages and videos. Mr. Sarver and the Suns/Mercury organization cooperated fully with the investigative process.

As stated in the report, the independent investigation found that Mr. Sarver “engaged in conduct that clearly violated common workplace standards, as reflected in team and League rules and policies. This conduct included the use of racially insensitive language; unequal treatment of female employees; sex-related statements and conduct; and harsh treatment of employees that on occasion constituted bullying.”

The NBA today has taken the following actions:

(1) Mr. Sarver is suspended from the Suns/Mercury organization for a period of one year, during which time he will not:

Be present at any NBA or WNBA team facility, including any office, arena, or practice facility.

Attend or participate in any NBA or WNBA event or activity, including games, practices, or business partner activity.

Represent the Suns or Mercury in any public or private capacity.
Have any involvement with the business or basketball operations of the Suns or Mercury.

Have any involvement in the business, governance, or activities of either the NBA or WNBA, including attending or participating in meetings of either league’s Board (and their associated Board committees).

(2) Mr. Sarver must, during his suspension, complete a training program focused on respect and appropriate conduct in the workplace.

(3) Mr. Sarver is fined $10 million, the maximum permitted by the NBA Constitution & By-Laws. The NBA will donate these funds to organizations that are committed to addressing race and gender-based issues in and outside the workplace.

(4) Additionally, the Suns/Mercury organization must fulfill a series of requirements for workplace improvements set forth and monitored by the NBA.