SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — The Utah Jazz have announced the hire of Boston Celtics assistant general manager Austin Ainge as their new president of basketball operations.
Ainge played basketball at Brigham Young University from 2002 to 2007, service as captain his final two seasons and leading the team to two Mountain West Conference championships.
Ainge is the son of BYU and Celtics great – and Jazz CEO – Danny Ainge. The father-son combo worked together in Boston for 10 years before Danny Ainge left for Utah.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Austin Ainge as our new President of Basketball Operations,” said Jazz owner Ryan Smith. “Austin is one of the brightest minds in the NBA—his 17 years with the Celtics have given him incredible insight into every part of an organization. I’ve known Austin for 15 years, and I’ve watched him grow into an accomplished, innovative, and strategic basketball executive who’s ready to lead this organization.”
Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens released a statement upon Ainge’s departure.
“We are thrilled for Austin as he embarks on his new journey with the Jazz,” Stevens said. “He’s clearly ready for this next step, and I know how much he’s looking forward to leading a team. He’s obviously very bright and has experienced success as a player, coach and executive at various levels of the game.”
Ainge called his new role an incredible opportunity.
“I couldn’t be more excited about the bright future of this organization,” he said. “I have lived this my whole life, constantly studying teams, talent, chemistry and the selflessness necessary to win. I look forward to bringing that to Utah and am excited to give Jazz fans a lot to cheer about as we build our program back up.”
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