Utah
How Big Was Jordan Clarkson’s Impact on Utah?
SALT LAKE CITY–Who knew that the number double zero would become so iconic in the state of Utah? Jordan Clarkson recently made his return home to Salt Lake City in a game against the Utah Jazz on March 11, 2026–His first time back at the Delta Center since being bought out by the team.
“That’s a home for me,” Clarkson told the New York Post before his homecoming game at the Delta Center. “I loved the organization. I love the coaching staff. Yeah, I love the city. All I had was love there.”
Even though he’s a New York Knick now, Clarkson will forever be remembered as the sixth man legend for the Jazz. Clarkson’s impact on the team and state goes way beyond his play on the court.
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The Flamethrower on the Court
The six years Clarkson spent with the Jazz saw the sixth man averaging 17.3 points per game, 3.3 assists, and 3.5 rebounds. The Jazz traded for the guard in 2019 for one purpose: putting the ball in the hoop. Upon entering the court in his second game as a Jazzman on Dec. 28, 2019, the Flamethrower made his presence known.
He scored 19 points, four rebounds, and two assists, helping the Jazz to a major blowout victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Clarkson’s accolades didn’t end there, though.
On March 12, 2022, Clarkson broke a Jazz franchise record for points scored by a player off the bench. He out-dueled Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox, who scored 41 points – Clarkson managed to score 45 points, two assists, one steal, and one block.
The only other player to come close to that record is the Jazz’s new wing Brice Sensabaugh, who scored 43 points off the bench against the Chicago Bulls on Jan. 14, 2026.
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Winning Awards
One of the guard’s greatest accomplishments in his career was winning the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2021. That year, he led all bench players in scoring, averaging 18.4 points per game. He also played a monumental role in helping the Jazz secure the number one seed that year in the Western Conference.
The Sixth Man of the Year wasn’t Clarkson’s only award he earned in his time in Utah. When the NBA All-Star game returned to Salt Lake City in 2023, Clarkson competed in the Skills Challenge with teammates Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton. Team Jazz ended up winning the Skills Challenge, giving Jazz Nation something to cherish during the All-Star game’s second appearance in the Wasatch Front.
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When asked about what it meant to him, Clarkson answered: “Do it for Utah man, appreciate everyone showing up. Y’all already know, let’s keep putting out for the city, represent, love.”
The Triple-Double Drought Over!
Breaking the triple-double drought for the Jazz was something special. The great Carlos Boozer was the last player to do it on Feb. 13, 2008, beating the Seattle Super Sonics. To put that into more context, the last time the Jazz had a player record a triple-double was against a team that disbanded under 20 years ago, and the son of the player who recorded the triple-double will enter the league this year.
Jan. 1, 2024, became etched in Jazz legend. Not only was it a rematch against the Dallas Mavericks after the infamous masterpiece of dog poop game, but it further marked a new age in Jazz history. Throughout the games, fans and broadcasters began to notice Clarkson’s stats creeping up ever so slightly. The guard managed to score 20 points and 11 assists, but he was stuck on nine rebounds.
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In the waning minutes of the fourth quarter, one of the Mavericks players missed a shot, which bounced out into the air. Every other Jazz player on the court knew the mission: let Clarkson grab that rebound. The Sixth Man leapt up, grabbed the ball, and the entire stadium erupted in a frenzy. Clarkson made history, becoming a Utah legend in the process.
Changing Perceptions Off the Court
One of the many criticisms of the state of Utah is that big-name players can’t find fame and promotion within the market. Critics say the state is too small a market for anyone to acquire the sponsorships needed to really be seen.
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Clarkson broke that stigma by starring in commercials for Lululemon to promote his brand and showed up on every Coors Light billboard in Utah. He even partnered with DoorDash for a time. Besides business promotions, Clarkson showed that players, besides John Stockton and Karl Malone, can embrace Salt Lake City. Many players around the league still have misconceptions about the city and its people.
Many players still describe the town as small, boring, and void of many bars. Now, there may be some truth to that statement. The state of Utah is stricter on its drinking laws, and while it doesn’t have any fun resort casinos, the state has evolved past the 1990s. People within the state have become more forward-thinking.
Plus, there are plenty of nightlife clubs and bars in the town if you know where to go. Not to mention, Park City, Utah, isn’t that far away, which offers a similar type of lavish lifestyle as well. Also, the mountains are legitimately in your backyard.
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Clarkson embraced the city with love and care, even though most players chose to put it down. He really showed that this place was something special and that the fans will always have your back.
A Legacy of Love
Between his numerous outstanding game performances, funny moments, and everything in between, Utah will always revere and love Clarkson.
Clarkson will be welcomed back with open arms by everyone here. Maybe one day he’ll visit like Boris Diaw. Or if fate has it, he could return next year and finish the rest of his career on the Jazz. Either way, the number double zero will forever hang in the rafters of Jazz Nation’s hearts.
The post How Big Was Jordan Clarkson’s Impact on Utah? appeared first on The Lead.
Utah
Kentucky Wildcats set to host Utah transfer Terrence Brown on visit
Kentucky basketball continues to stay aggressive in the transfer portal, hosting Utah transfer guard Terrence Brown for a visit, according to Matt Jones of KSR, as the Wildcats look to rebuild their backcourt heading into next season.
Brown, a 6-3, 175-pound point guard, is coming off a standout year in which he averaged 19.9 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.4 rebounds per game. He shot 45.3% from the field and 32.7% from 3-point range while starting all 32 games and playing over 31 minutes per contest.
There is already a connection between Brown and Kentucky, as he previously played alongside former Wildcat forward Ansley Almonor during the 2023-24 season before Almonor transferred to Kentucky the following year.
Kentucky’s interest in Brown comes as the program looks to reload at the guard position following multiple departures, including Jaland Lowe, Denzel Aberdeen, Jasper Johnson, and Collin Chandler. Head coach Mark Pope and his staff have made it a priority to evaluate all options, with Brown emerging as a serious candidate after a recent phone conversation between the two sides.
The Wildcats have also hosted other guards like Zoom Diallo, and currently, Rob Wright is on campus.
Brown’s visit is part of a busy stretch for Kentucky, with several other notable transfer targets expected to make their way to Lexington, including Alex Wilkins, Donnie Freeman, Jalen Cox, and Magoon Gwath.
Utah
Utah delays imposing fee for wildfire mitigation program
The Utah Legislature tried to address the unaffordability or, for some, unavailability of home insurance last year.
The state created a program to inspect “high-risk” properties statewide and charge those properties a fee.
Its start date was supposed to be Jan. 1, but now lawmakers are giving state and local officials an extra year to implement it. House Bill 41, which Gov. Spencer Cox signed in March, moves the start date to Jan. 1, 2027.
Bill sponsor Rep. Thomas Peterson, R-Brigham City, says that’s to give time for cities and counties to petition the state to add or remove properties from the fee area.
“[The Division of] Forestry, Fire and State Lands has said they will work with the cities and counties to amend their maps, if it’s indeed justified,” the representative said during a House committee hearing.
The program targets properties with buildings in the “high-risk wildland-urban interface,” or WUI, meaning those that straddle wilderness and development. The Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands has a map classifying certain properties as high-risk WUI.
That’s the map local governments can petition to amend this year.
Those properties will pay a fee into the new Utah Wildfire Fund, which is supposed to offset fire-related costs. The fee pays for inspections to make sure property owners are being firewise and maintaining their land.
The fee is expected to range from $20 to $100 annually, depending on the size of buildings on a given property and risk level. The state forester has more information on an online FAQ page.
Utah
This Utah Family Retreat Takes Its Elevated Design Cues From the Alpine Surroundings
as hard as it is to say goodbye to a special place where you’ve made countless memories, letting one good thing go can invite something even better to take its place. When one Chicago-based couple welcomed their first grandchild, they knew that it was time to part ways with their former Victory Ranch, Utah, retreat and expand into a custom-built home in nearby Kamas, which was designed to grow with their family.
With Jennelle Butera of Bloum Design Co. helming the design, every area of the expansive new homestead was tailored to suit the needs of a full, bustling household, with curated design choices that seamlessly coordinate with the majestic mountainous terrain on full display in nearly every room.
To give the space an artful signature all its own, Butera commissioned numerous custom accents. “We love working with local artisans,” she says. “We layered in pieces that feel deeply personal, from a solid walnut dining table with brass butterflies to a gunmetal kitchen hood and blackened steel fireplace surround.”
Though incredibly spacious and airy, the entire interior still has a warm and inviting feel, making it a natural home base for the entire brood to gather. From an intimate breakfast nook just off the main living area to a family room that’s ready for anything—from game night to cocktail hour—to a primary bathroom that could rival the most luxurious five-star spa, this is the ultimate entertaining home, sure to host countless reunions and gatherings in the years to come. And crucially, the space doesn’t feel cordoned off from the gorgeous natural world outdoors, but very much a part of it.
FAST FACTS
Designer: Jennelle Butera, Bloum Design Co.
Location: Kamas, Utah
The Space: A five-bedroom, six-bathroom home across 8,200 square feet
ENTRYWAY
Guests are greeted by subtle artistic touches.
An entryway needs to make a memorable first impression, and the one in this home, anchored by a distinctive custom walnut console table, is so much more than a simple pass-through. “This entry vestibule serves as an artistic moment,” Butera says. There’s subtle beauty to appreciate underfoot as well, as the dappled pattern of the natural stone pavers is used both indoors and out, providing a seamless visual transition.
THE GREAT ROOM
A comfy, calming space that lives up to its name.
Walking into the great room, visitors are struck by two distinct features: expansive panorama windows that showcase sweeping mountain vistas and a sumptuous seating area that practically begs sitters to stay awhile and appreciate the view. The deep olive green Montauk sofas were hand-selected not just for their gorgeous color and plush silhouette, but because they feel like a dream. “The clients even took a special trip to the Chicago showroom to personally sit-test them,” Butera quips.
DINING AREA
Gilded accents add polish to everyday meals.
Adjacent to the central seating zone is the dining area; at its heart is a custom-fabricated walnut table with cozy mohair-upholstered chairs that offer plenty of spots for dinner party guests to perch.
“Warm and chocolate tones were chosen to complement the natural landscape,” Butera says, and the effect is the total embodiment of—dare we say—quiet luxury. A sophisticated dry bar awaits service nearby, resplendent in its gleaming wallcovering by Alchemy Helio 3.0.
BREAKFAST NOOK
This bonus room is the go-to spot for quiet contemplation.
For those in-between moments throughout the day, this light-filled breakfast nook, grounded by a custom ash wood table and banquette, offers a casual, quiet corner. “This intimate, everyday space allows them to enjoy the view while sitting with coffee or tea,” Butera says. “It’s also the client’s preferred workspace.”
KITCHEN
Soft moodiness pervades in this hyper-efficient cooking hub.
“The kitchen showcases a curated interplay of dark and light,” Butera says. Subtle shifts in tone and mood are exemplified through the rich oxidized rift oak cabinetry, which contrasts against the smoky zellige tile backsplash. Crowning the range is a custom gunmetal hood, which Butera calls “the kitchen’s striking focal point.”
The space’s organizational flow was also meticulously mapped out through specialized, streamlined storage to ensure maximum efficiency while also allowing room for beauty. The client’s precious collection of pottery, handmade by her mother, holds court above the cook space in the glass-door upper cabinets.
FAMILY ROOM
A casual escape designed for off-hours enjoyment.
On the lower level, this entertaining zone ups the casual quotient, offering ample storage space for the household to stash games, books, and other off-the-clock accoutrements. Ever ready for all hosting needs, the space includes an oxidized rift oak bar and kitchenette. “The bar was intentionally designed to be camouflaged and sleek,” Butera notes. It also alleviates the need to run upstairs for a refill.
BEDROOM
Relaxed refinement takes center stage.
Waking up is never hard to do in this primary bedroom, which Butera calls “a zen-inspired sanctuary for enjoying the mountain views from bed.” She extended the serene tonal and textural palette to this calming space, adding a watercolor-inspired wallcovering to the room’s feature wall and extending it into the nearby boutique-inspired changing area.
PRIMARY BATHROOM
An everyday sanctuary replete with spa-level luxury.
“This primary bathroom is a spacious sanctuary, flooded with natural light,” Butera says. Layers of materiality—limestone floor tiles, a marble sink countertop, a white oak custom vanity—read as a naturalistic extension of the alpine atmosphere just outside.
GUEST ROOM
This home-away-from-home practically guarantees sweet dreams.
This entire home was designed with five-star hospitality in mind, so the guest rooms were certainly not an afterthought. “The main-level guest bedroom is a warm and welcoming space designed to make family and guests feel at home,” Butera says. The room’s biophilic-inspired sage, almond, and mauve hues cocoon the sleeper to put the mind at ease, while a lantern-like pendant from Visual Comfort & Co., aptly named “Paper Moon,” hangs overhead.
About the Designer
Jennelle Butera of Bloum Design Co. has been creating thoughtful spaces for over a decade. In each aspect of her projects, Jennelle and her team seek connection and collaboration with both their clients and their creative partners to create homes that are truly a team effort and reflect each contributing point of view.
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