What exactly is the Utah Jazz's involvement in basketball overseas?

[framer]

Ok, I am about as ugly as an American as they come. I know jack and squat about anything other than the NBA and the NCAA. I can't tell you anything about any of the teams, players, or even leagues outside of the US.

That being said, in a post response I noticed that both Oliver Hanlan and Brock Motom signed with BC Žalgiris last year. That can't be a coincidence, can it? I know that The Jazz coaching staff has ties to European basketball and the Jazz are not shy about scouting those leagues, finding both Gobert and Neto (in the South American League) as players that others overlooked.

What do we actually know about what ties the Jazz have to overseas basketball? Is it about the same as, or better than other NBA teams? I know that there was a post talking abut how one of the top European players had nice things to say about the Jazz and that the Jazz are always stocked with foreign players. What are the specifics of the Jazz relationship with basketball outside of the U.S?

 

[Coach Ellis]

I think that with Snyder's background in Russia and the natural interest that being a Spurs umbrella team has towards international players. . . the Jazz have invested a lot of time, effort and money into their international scouting.

I'd like to see more. I think that Utah needs to find innovative ways to gain an edge - Moneyball style. My suggestion would be to use player development strategies that nobody else has.

The purchase of the Idaho D-league team and moving it to Salt Lake for re-branding provides for a great opportunity. Take two guys with ridiculous upside and build a whole D-league team around their development. Coaches, players, practice schedules and training. It's not about winning or losing, or finding daimonds in the rough. . . it's ALL about the development of two guys, every year. Try to turn those two guys into rotational players and it's a success.

I'd take that concept a step further and enter into an exclusive partnership with a European team, where the Jazz provide financial resources, coaches, training and medical care that is similar to how they do business in Utah. I'd set up a P3 type strength and conditioning process and hire a Quin Snyder like developmental coaching staff, and then sell young players on the idea of playing and developing on that team for a shot at the NBA. Try to steer the Jazz draft and stash players as well as top draft eligible players to that team, and you create a unique relationship between a European club, an NBA team and the players all aligned on the same goals - produce, develop and highlight future NBA talent.

 

[fishonjazz]

Shrugs shoulders