The Utah Utes basketball program is abuzz with excitement as they hosted highly-touted international prospect Veniamin Abosi on an official visit. Abosi, a standout player known for his athleticism and versatility in Greece, has garnered significant attention from top programs across the country. His visit to Utah is a testament to the Utes’ recruiting efforts and their aim to build a competitive team for the upcoming seasons.

Abosi’s journey to this point has been impressive. Standing at 6-foot-6 with a wingspan that allows him to play multiple positions effectively, he has shown remarkable skills both offensively and defensively. His ability to shoot from beyond the arc, drive to the basket, and his defensive prowess make him a highly sought-after recruit. Abosi’s career has been marked by numerous accolades, including leading his team to championships and earning MVP honors at several tournaments. He played for the Olympiacos U18 team during the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament earlier this year, which is the annual tournament that features the top U18 clubs in Europe.

For the Utes, landing a player of Abosi’s caliber could be a game changer. The program, which has a storied history in college basketball, will be looking to re-establish itself as a dominant force in the Big 12 Conference. Smith is known for his ability to develop talent and build cohesive teams, and has been at the forefront of this recruitment effort. His vision for the Utes involves a fast-paced, high-energy style of play that would suit Abosi’s strengths perfectly.

During his visit, Abosi had the opportunity to tour the campus and get a feel for the university’s facilities. He also spent time getting a sense of the team culture that Smith has cultivated. The Utes’ state-of-the-art training facilities and the passionate fan base were highlights of the visit, giving Abosi a glimpse of the support he would receive if he chose to commit to the Utes. 

One of the key moments of the visit was a meeting with the coaching staff, where they discussed Abosi’s potential role on the team and how he fits into their long-term plans. Smith reportedly emphasized the development opportunities at Utah, not just on the court but also in terms of personal growth and academic success. The Utes’ recent success in developing players and helping them reach their professional aspirations was a significant talking point.

As Abosi considers his options, the Utah Utes remain hopeful that their efforts will pay off. Abosi would not only bolster their starting five but also send a strong message to other top recruits about the Runnin Utes’ direction and ambition.

It was clear almost immediately that Utah State athletic director Diana Sabau is on a mission.

Behind the friendly smile that was emblazoned across her face as she greeted Aggie alumni and chatted with coaches and student-athletes Thursday night at USU’s Bastian Agricultural Center in South Jordan, there was a steely determination. One that almost toed the line of desperation.

That may be what is needed in an ever-changing world of collegiate sports, though. A world that the Aggies boldly declared Thursday night that they are intent to remain a viable part of.

Utah State announced a new fundraising campaign for Aggie athletics — the ‘Reach and Rise’ Fundraising Campaign — which is USU’s first-ever comprehensive capital campaign and the largest and most ambitious fundraising effort in the history of the university.

All told, USU hopes to raise $125 million over the next five years, with $20 million already raised thanks to a pair of anonymous $10 million donations.

It is — for lack of a better descriptor — a fundraiser for the survival of Aggie athletics as presently constituted.

“If we don’t take this moment right now, if we don’t invest in our ‘Reach and Rise’ campaign, Utah State athletics will not be able to keep up with the changing times, with where intercollegiate athletics is going,” Sabau said. “We are already behind with most of our peers in the Mountain West. When you look at Utah State and the number of investors, contributors and donors to our athletic department, we are second from the bottom in the MWC with number of contributors. We must grow that base.”

She continued: “…. We need to do more (so we can provide a) new field for our women’s soccer players, a new locker room for our men’s basketball players or frankly modernizing a great football stadium. Shining it a little bit to make it the gem of Logan so that everyone can be proud and we can have the best competitively.”

The proposed investment in Aggie athletics is for the benefit of the entire university, president Elizabeth Cantwell said.

“Athletics plays this critical role in elevating all of USU,” she noted.

Added Sabau: “I deeply believe that athletics is the lifeblood of a university. It creates memories. It creates legacies within families. Gives you purpose and is a gathering place, a point of pride.”

The significance of the proposed investment was not lost on USU coaches or student-athletes.

“I think it is so powerful,” men’s basketball coach Jerrod Calhoun said. “It shows a huge commitment, to not only men’s basketball (but) to all of our sports team. It is one big family there. With so many things changing I think fundraising drives a lot of this. And so your donor base, your alums, you have to be able to reach people who may have not been given. These are what these events are about and really bring awareness to Utah State athletics and I thought they’ve done a masterful job.”

Said rising sophomore Mason Falslev, one of Calhoun’s more recognizable players and a Cache Valley native: “I didn’t really know about all this, about the number, but that is a lot of money and can make a huge difference in a lot of our lives. Especially in football and basketball, we appreciate it. We love being Aggies and that extra money will do a lot for us.”

The official purpose behind the $125 million fundraising campaign is three-fold:

• To redefine the student-athlete experience by providing tools for success beyond their athletic careers.
• To raise the standard of excellence with a renewed commitment to increase funding for recruiting and retaining student-athletes and staff, along with facility enhancements.
• To change lives through education by funding student-athlete scholarships.

All of which, Sabau said, boils down to providing the means necessary for Utah State to compete for and win championships.

“We are always going to maximize and not really complain, but the reality is that the amount of success we are looking to achieve is not sustainable in the current conditions,” USU women’s soccer coach Manny Martins said.

Bold. Ambitious. Brazen. Lofty. However USU’s ‘Reach and Rise’ fundraising campaign is viewed, almost all are in agreement — Utah State athletics won’t survive in the increasingly costly collegiate sports world without it.

“It is necessary in today’s day and age,” Utah State starting quarterback Spencer Petras said. “I think it is great. It is empowering and makes you feel cared for as a student-athlete. Who knows how much we will raise, but that is a great goal. I don’t know any other way to phrase it — we want to compete at the highest level and these are the things we need to do in order to do that.”

According to Chris B. Haynes, the Utah Jazz are expected to be interested in Tobias Harris in free agency. You can watch Haynes’s video mentioning that interest below.

Haynes mentions the following teams that will be interested in Harris: Utah, Detroit, San Antonio, Dallas, and New Orleans.

The question is, how much interest will these teams show? Even if the Jazz have interest, they may or may not have the cap space this summer to sign him if they’re re-negotiating Lauri Markkanen. That said, Harris has been underwhelming in his role in Philadelphia, and it’s possible he could be had for a bargain. If the Jazz are looking for cheap deals, this could possibly be a fit. Considering that so many teams are looking into signing him, the price may increase if this turns into a bidding war.

If the Jazz lose out on Harris, that may be for the best. Utah has three players coming into their second season and more coming in this year’s draft. Will they prioritize cheap veterans over developing young talent this season?