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Utah Jazz president Randy Rigby, who in recent years has helped spearhead the purchase of the team's D-League franchise and the return of summer league basketball to Salt Lake City, will retire at the end of this season.
Rigby will be replaced by Larry H. Miller Sports and Entertainment head Steve Starks, the Jazz announced Wednesday.
"Randy has had a remarkable career and contributed in so many ways," Gail Miller, owner of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies, said in a news release. "He has been an excellent representative of the Jazz at the NBA level and in the community. We have been fortunate to have had his guiding hand on the franchise. Beyond his work, our family has appreciated his loyalty and friendship through the years."
The Jazz have been preparing for a change in leadership for a year.
"For the past year, we have been planning for this transition of leadership and Steve is prepared to take the reins," LHM CEO Clark Whitworth said. "The Jazz are on solid footing due in part to the vision and passion of Randy through the years."
Rigby has worked for the franchise for 30 years, nine of those as the team's president. He will serve as an adviser to the organization after his retirement.
"I am excited about the future of the Jazz and my continued involvement as an adviser," Rigby said. "I look forward to remaining involved in the community and in pursuing new opportunities both personally and professionally."
Starks has been with the LHM Group since 2007 and has risen steadily through its ranks since working as an understudy to Larry Miller himself.
Be prepared
Gordon Hayward spent a few days of his break relaxing in San Diego — well, "as much relaxing as you can do with an 8-month-old baby."
Now Hayward is staring down the season's final games and his first playoff push as the team's leader.
"It's very exciting for us," he said after practice Wednesday. "I think we're in a good place, confident. … At this point is when teams start to pick it up and the intensity rises and you start to feel it."
The Jazz, who open their post-All-Star break schedule on Thursday night in Washington, D.C., before flying back to Salt Lake to face the Boston Celtics on Friday, sit in eighth place as the playoff push begins.
"I think we've got a good understanding that it's going to be tougher," shooting guard Rodney Hood said. "Every team that we play will have us circled. Teams are going to come after us, especially teams in the race. We just have to be that much more prepared."
Making moves
Here's one move the Jazz did make Wednesday: the team recalled center Tibor Pleiss from the D-League — but only for a day. The 7-foot-3 rookie, who has played in 12 games for the Jazz, had to be officially recalled so he could practice with the Jazz on Wednesday. He will rejoin the Idaho Stampede for games this weekend.
Twitter: @tribjazz —
Jazz at Wizards
At Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.
Tipoff • Thursday, 7 p.m.
TV • ROOT
Radio • 1280 AM, 97.5 FM
About the Jazz • With 30 games left on their schedule, Gordon Hayward and company begin a true playoff push. … The Jazz have to travel to Washington, D.C., for one night to make up a game postponed due to a snowstorm before returning to Salt Lake for a Friday night tilt against Boston. … Winners of eight of their past 10 games before the all-star break.
About the Wizards • Coach Randy Wittman wanted to speed things up this year, but it seems to have hurt Washington's defense, which has dropped to 20th in the league. … Have lost seven of their past 10 games before the break and sit outside playoff position in the East with a record of 23-28. … All-Star point guard John Wall averages 20 points and nearly 10 assists per game.