SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — The Utah Jazz played a surprise scrimmage in front of East High School students.
The gym buzzed with energy as the entire student body filled the stands — unaware of the surprise that awaited them on October 7.
The crowd erupted when players from the Utah Jazz suddenly stormed through the gym doors, taking the court to warm up for an unexpected open scrimmage.
East High School Assistant Principal Justin Spencer said they are “grateful for the Jazz.”
“Our students are awesome, they have been begging for something fun and exciting,” Spencer said.
Jazz players showcased their skills with windmill dunks and their range from the three-point line.
“For our kids to be able to connect with the members of the Utah Jazz and see them up close and personal is really important for them,” Spencer said.
Utah Jazz rookies not only competed at basketball but on the dance floor.
Students watched Ace Bailey, the No. 5 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Jazz, move across the gym floor with the same energy and dance moves that Troy Bolton, the character played by Zac Efron in Disney’s “High School Musical” once showed off at East High.
“It’s always awesome to come back and give back to the community,” Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen said. “It’s a big deal for the students. So, it’s fun.”
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Utah Jazz Head Coach Will Hardy said the atmosphere reminded him why basketball means so much to so many people.
“We can all kind of lose touch on where we fell in love with the game of basketball. High school basketball, for a lot of us — players, coaches, people that played — some of your best memories are playing with your friends growing up, playing in front of your friends in the stands. There is nothing like the energy of a high school gym when it’s packed,” Hardy said.
He said the support by the local community is “second to none.”
The Jazz are scheduled to begin the season with a home game against the Los Angeles Clippers on October 22.
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