Utah’s Rich Basketball Heritage
The state of Utah has consistently produced NBA talent over the years.
College Pathways to the NBA
With contributions from BYU, Utah, Utah State, Utah Tech, UVU, and Weber State, a total of 76 players from these colleges have made it to the NBA.
Impressive Statistics
As of last year, according to Clutch Points, 4,898 players had participated in at least one NBA game, and 1.5% of them came from Utah colleges.
Recognizable Names
Notable names in this group include Danny Ainge (BYU), Tom Chambers (Utah), and Damian Lillard (WSU). Many former Jazz players, All-Stars, and even a No. 1 overall pick (Andrew Bogut) also represent Utah’s basketball legacy.
Current Landscape
As of July 27, eight Utah college alumni are currently on NBA rosters, including:
- Egor Demin (BYU/Brooklyn Nets)
- Kyle Kuzma (Utah, Milwaukee Bucks)
- Pelle Larsson (Utah and Arizona, Miami Heat)
- Jakob Poeltl (Utah, Toronto Raptors)
- Damian Lillard (Weber State, Portland Trail Blazers)
- Sam Merrill (Utah State, Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Neemias Queta (Utah State, Boston Celtics)
- Dillon Jones (Weber State, Washington Wizards)
A Bright Future Ahead
Looking ahead, Branden Carlson (Utah, Oklahoma City Thunder) is another two-way player expected to see significant minutes next season. The potential increase in Utah college players in the NBA indicates a thriving basketball culture in the state.
Recruitment and Development
With BYU’s Kevin Young leading impressive recruiting efforts, including high lottery prospect AJ Dybantsa, and the Utes hoping for a revival under Alex Jensen, Utah’s future in basketball looks brighter than ever.
