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Former Utah Jazz Players, Robert Horry Teaching Youth

By Ryan Aston

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Thurl Bailey teaches Matt Henrich ball control, Ft. Bragg, NC–Photo courtesy of Matt Henrich

Over the years, the Utah Jazz organization and its players have done incredible work in their community endeavors. Now, a group of former Jazzmen joined by seven-time NBA Champion Robert Horry and former pro and BYU star Shawn Bradley are continuing that work in retirement.

As part of the NBA Retired Players Association’s renewed efforts to work with under served youth, “Big T” Thurl Bailey (who serves as the association’s chairman), Fred Roberts and Andy Toolson joined Bradley and Big Shot Bob in putting on a basketball clinic at the Jazz practice facility.

The program, “Full Court Press: Prep for Success,” is for girls and boys from 10 to 16 years of age. In addition to the clinic, the program focuses on classroom work with a mentoring roundtable.

In Kurt Kragthorpe’s piece about the event for the Salt Lake Tribune, Bailey talked about the impact this kind of effort can have for children in need–

"“What we’re hoping for is to give these kids a chance. A lot of these refugees, they’ve never had a chance. They’re coming from violence. They’re coming from torn families. To be in a place now that allows you freedoms, allows you to be successful, it’s a big deal to them.”"

Bailey, of course, spent 10 seasons as a player with the Jazz. Roberts, a BYU grad, was with the team for two years in the early 80s.  Toolson played for coach Jerry Sloan‘s squad during the 1990-91 and 1995-96 seasons following his own run with the Cougars.

Meanwhile, Horry was a part of seven NBA championship teams as a member of the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs.

Kudos to everyone involved for their continued work to improve the local community.

Next: 44 Years Ago Today: Utah Stars Win 1971 ABA Championship

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