Category: Utah Jazz Blog

The Utah Jazz have named Quincy Lewis, the team’s 1999 first round draft selection, as their first-ever director of alumni relations. In this newly created position, Lewis will lead the team’s alumni programming and initiatives across the organization and in the community.

“Our organization has a deep appreciation for the many players who have helped build our franchise,” said Jazz General Manager Justin Zanik. “Throughout the process of finding the best candidate for this position, it was clear that Quincy was the perfect fit. His experience as a former Jazzman combined with his knowledge of the business of basketball makes him uniquely suited to lead our alumni relations program.”

Selected by the Jazz with the 19th overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft, Lewis spent three seasons in Utah (1999-2002), appearing in 145 games and averaging 3.8 points and 1.4 rebounds in 12.3 minutes per game. He also played one season with the Minnesota Timberwolves (2003-04) and had a six-year stint internationally playing with Maccabi Tel Aviv (2002-03), Lucentum Alicante (2003-05, 2006-07), Olympiacos (2005-06), and Bilbao Basket (2007-09).

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to return to the Jazz organization and the state of Utah in this new role,” said Lewis. “Getting drafted by the franchise and spending three years here was a dream come true. The chance to come back and be part of the team in a different capacity brings things full circle. I’m looking forward to working with former players and to grow and strengthen their connections with not only the team but also the community at large.”

The Little Rock, Ark., native played four collegiate seasons at the University of Minnesota (1995-99), appearing in 127 career games, averaging 12.7 points, 4.0 boards, and 1.5 assists. As a senior in 1998-99, he averaged 23.1 points per game, earning the Big Ten Conference’s scoring title and All-American recognition.

After retiring from professional basketball, Lewis moved into collegiate administration at his alma mater, where he held various roles primarily within development and alumni relations. Lewis also spent a decade as a pregame, halftime, and post-game analyst for Fox Sports North, providing commentary for Minnesota Timberwolves games.

The Utah Jazz have signed General Manager Justin Zanik to a multi-year contract extension.

“My family and I have fallen in love with this great city and the state of Utah, and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to continue this journey with the Utah Jazz,” said Zanik. “I have a deep appreciation for my partnership with Ryan and Danny and am excited about our path forward with Coach Hardy. We look forward to building towards winning the championship our fans deserve.”

“Justin’s basketball acumen, ability to create meaningful relationships throughout the league, and management of our front office are invaluable assets,” said Jazz CEO of Basketball Danny Ainge. “We’re thrilled that he’ll continue to lead the team.”

Zanik is entering his fourth season as general manager of the Utah Jazz, overseeing the day-to-day management of basketball operations. Zanik originally joined the Jazz as assistant general manager in September 2013 and held the role for three seasons, before moving to take on the role of assistant general manager for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2016-17. He returned to Utah in the same role from 2017-19.

He was a certified agent for the National Basketball Players Association from 2003-13 and served as vice president at ASM Sports for more than a decade, overseeing all aspects of management for ASM’s basketball clients.

Zanik graduated from Northwestern University in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in economics.

The Utah Jazz have waived forward Tyler Cook, and guards Frank Jackson and Isaiah Miller.

Cook (6-8, 255, Iowa) is entering his fourth NBA season, owning career averages of 3.8 points on 65.4 percent from the field, and 2.5 rebounds in 65 games (three starts) with Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Brooklyn, and Chicago.

Jackson (6-3, 205, Duke) is entering his fifth NBA season, owning career averages of 8.5 points on 43.3 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three-point range, to go with 1.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 213 games (31 starts) with New Orleans and Detroit.

Miller (6-0, 180, UNC Greensboro) spent the 2021-22 season with the Iowa Wolves of the NBA G League, where he appeared in 32 games (three starts) and averaged 12.7 points on 48.5 percent shooting from the field, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.7 steals in 24.2 minutes per game.

The Utah Jazz have signed forward Tyler Cook, and guards Frank Jackson and Isaiah Miller.

Cook (6-8, 255, Iowa) is entering his fourth NBA season, owning career averages of 3.8 points on 65.4 percent from the field, and 2.5 rebounds in 65 games (three starts) with Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Brooklyn, and Chicago. In 2021-22 he played in 20 games (two starts) with the Bulls, averaging 3.4 points and 2.7 rebounds in 10.0 minutes per contest. He also appeared in 17 games (16 starts) with the Windy City Bulls of the NBA G League, averaging 17.2 points on 68.4 percent from the field, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 28.0 minutes per contest.

The 25-year-old played three collegiate seasons at the University of Iowa, where he saw action in 93 games (92 starts), tallying career averages of 14.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 28.0 minutes per game. He was named to the 2016-17 All-Big Ten Freshman Team and the 2018-19 All-Big Ten Second Team.

Jackson (6-3, 205, Duke) is entering his fifth NBA season, owning career averages of 8.5 points on 43.3 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three-point range, to go with 1.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 213 games (31 starts) with New Orleans and Detroit. The 24-year-old averaged a career-best 10.6 points in 53 games with the Pistons last season.

The native of Alpine, Utah was originally drafted by Charlotte with the 31st pick in the 2017 NBA draft before being traded to New Orleans on draft night. Collegiately, he played one season at Duke (2016-17), where he averaged 10.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, helping the Blue Devils to an ACC tournament title. He attended Lone Peak High School in Highland, Utah, and was named Co-MVP of the 2016 McDonald’s All-American Game.

Miller (6-0, 180, UNC Greensboro) spent the 2021-22 season with the Iowa Wolves of the NBA G League, where he appeared in 32 games (three starts) and averaged 12.7 points on 48.5 percent shooting from the field, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.7 steals in 24.2 minutes per game. The Covington, Ga., native played with the Utah Jazz entries at the 2022 Salt Lake City Summer League and NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, posting averages of 3.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 steals in four games.

The 24-year-old attended UNC Greensboro, where he played in 132 games (80 starts) over four seasons (2017-21), posting collegiate career averages of 14.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.4 steals in 25.6 minutes per game. He earned Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors three times (2019-21) and the Southern Conference Player of the Year twice (2020-21).

The Utah Jazz have waived forward Stanley Johnson, guard Jared Butler, and center Cody Zeller.

Johnson (6-6, 242, Arizona) saw action in one 2022-23 preseason contest with Utah, averaging 5.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 14.8 minutes per game.

Butler (6-3, 195, Baylor) appeared in 42 games (one start) with the Jazz in 2021-22, averaging 3.8 points, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 rebounds in 8.6 minutes per game.

Zeller (6-11, 240, Indiana) competed in three games during the 2022-23 preseason for the Jazz, averaging 2.7 points and 4.3 boards in 6.9 minutes per contest.

The Utah Jazz have promoted several members of its basketball operations staff while also welcoming new additions:

Bart Taylor has been elevated to vice president of player personnel.

Marquis Newman has taken on the role of director of pro personnel/general manager of the Salt Lake City Stars.

Lindsay Twiss was elevated to vice president of player and alumni relations.

Whitli Godderidge was promoted to vice president of family relations and basketball operations.

Ashley Rinehart was promoted to director of team travel and player relations with Lynzie Sorenson serving as manager of family relations.

Shawn James will take on a new role as manager of college scouting.

Additionally, the team has brought on Katie Benzan, Tide Osifeso, and William McNeill as basketball operations generalists.

The Utah Jazz Performance Healthcare staff has brought on Dantren Anderson as its assistant strength & conditioning coach, and added McKennon Powell as assistant equipment manager. Maddie Brower was elevated to serve as a performance health logistics and COVID assistant. Harveaire Berrien and Clarence Mohammed have joined the Jazz’s team security staff.

The Utah Jazz have signed center Micah Potter to a two-way contract.

The team has also waived guard/forward Jeenathan Williams.

Potter (6-10, 248, Wisconsin) appeared in 33 games (all starts) for the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA G League in 2021-22, owning averages of 17.0 points on 53.6 percent from the field and 44.1 percent from three, 9.9 boards, 1.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks in 28.8 minutes per game. Following his first professional season, he garnered 2021-22 All-G League Rookie Team honors.

A four-year collegiate player, the Mentor, Ohio native competed for Ohio State (2016-18) and Wisconsin (2019-21), owning career averages of 7.6 points and 4.3 rebounds in 15.9 minutes per contest. As a Badger, he owned averages of 11.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 20.3 minutes per game.

Williams (6-5, 205, Buffalo) was signed by the Jazz on Oct. 11, 2022.

The Utah Jazz have signed guard/forward Jeenathan Williams.

And in a related move, the team has waived guard Darryl Morsell.

Williams (6-5, 205, Buffalo) was a four-year collegiate player at Buffalo, appearing in 122 career games (84 starts), owning averages of 12.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 23.5 minutes per contest. As a senior in 2021-22, he averaged 19.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 steals in 29 games (all starts), earning 2021-22 All-MAC First Team honors.

The Rochester, N.Y. native played with the Utah Jazz entries at the Salt Lake City Summer League and NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. In Salt Lake City, he averaged 6.0 points and 5.5 boards in two appearances and in three games (one start) in Las Vegas, posted averages of 5.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 10.6 minutes per contest.

Morsell (6-5, 205, Marquette) was signed by the Jazz on Oct. 9, 2022.

The Utah Jazz have signed guard Darryl Morsell.

And in a related move, the team has waived guard Saben Lee.

Morsell (6-5, 205, Marquette) was a five-year collegiate player with Maryland (2017-21) and Marquette (2021-22). During his final season, he owned averages of 13.4 points on 44.6 percent shooting, along with 3.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.2 steals in 31 games (all starts). In his final season at Maryland, he was named the 2020-21 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and garnered All-Big Ten Defensive Team honors.

For his career, the Baltimore, Md., native appeared in 157 games (138 starts), averaging 9.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 28.4 minutes per contest.

Lee (6-2, 183, Vanderbilt) was originally acquired via trade on Sept. 26, 2022 from Detroit.