Utah Jazz hire Austin Ainge as President of Basketball Operations – NBA Blog – NBA Basketball Blog

The Utah Jazz have hired Austin Ainge as the team’s new President of Basketball Operations.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Austin Ainge as our new President of Basketball Operations,” said Ryan Smith, governor of the Utah Jazz. “Austin is one of the brightest minds in the NBA—his 17 years with the Celtics have given him incredible insight into every part of an organization. I’ve known Austin for 15 years, and I’ve watched him grow into an accomplished, innovative, and strategic basketball executive who’s ready to lead this organization.”

Ainge joins Utah following a long stint with the Boston Celtics.

“We are thrilled for Austin as he embarks on his new journey with the Jazz,” said Brad Stevens, the Celtics President of Basketball Operations. “He’s clearly ready for this next step, and I know how much he’s looking forward to leading a team. He’s obviously very bright and has experienced success as a player, coach and executive at various levels of the game. On top of that, he leaves no stone unturned – he’s a strategic thinker that’s motivated and is an extremely hard worker. We will miss him in Boston, but could not be happier for Austin and his family.”

“This is an incredible opportunity to lead Utah Jazz basketball operations,” said Austin Ainge, president of basketball operations for the Utah Jazz. “I couldn’t be more excited about the bright future of this organization. I look forward to partnering with Ryan and Ashley Smith and our other leaders within the Utah Jazz and will utilize my experience over the last 17 years building a championship-caliber organization. I have lived this my whole life, constantly studying teams, talent, chemistry and the selflessness necessary to win. I look forward to bringing that to Utah and am excited to give Jazz fans a lot to cheer about as we build our program back up.”