facebook-pixel

Utah Jazz players get on the soccer field to practice with Real Salt Lake

The two teams are connected by the same owner, Ryan Smith.

(Utah Jazz) Utah Jazz guard Jared Butler walks on the America First Field pitch during a joint practice between the Jazz and Real Salt Lake on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022.

(Utah Jazz) Utah Jazz guard Jared Butler walks on the America First Field pitch during a joint practice between the Jazz and Real Salt Lake on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022.

Notable NBA players like Steve Nash and the late Kobe Bryant have often said there are many similarities between basketball and soccer. On Wednesday, the professional teams in those sports in Utah had a chance to prove it.

The Utah Jazz and Real Salt Lake held a joint practice at America First Field. Jazz players and coaches like Collin Sexton and Will Hardy got to engage in skill work with Jefferson Savarino and Pablo Mastroeni. Both teams ended the practice with a penalty shootout.

“It’s not what I used to do, so trying to figure it out,” Sexton told official Jazz media. “I be out here definitely looking terrible.”

Sexton added that the unconventional practice was good for the camaraderie and chemistry an NBA team needs to get through the season.

“Everybody’s having a good time out here,” Sexton said. “You see everybody smiling and enjoying themselves.”

Mastroeni told reporters that the practice was good to “break things up” for RSL, which is in the final stretch of its season.


Support free news for Utah

sltrib.com is now free to access — no subscription required. We made this decision because we believe access to trustworthy, independent news shouldn’t depend on what you can afford — especially as misinformation and AI-generated content continue to rise.

Free to read doesn’t mean free to produce. Our reporters show up every day to ask hard questions and hold powerful institutions to account. That work takes resources. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on support from people who believe it matters. Make a donation today to fund local news that serves Utah communities.

You can help us bring more local news to more communities today.