Alex Jensen has been appointed the new head coach of Utah's men's basketball program, returning to his alma mater after a notable career in the NBA. Jensen, who was once a leading candidate for the position four years ago, aims to help Utah consistently reach the NCAA Tournament again. His extensive NBA experience has become a pivotal asset for the Utes, especially after a challenging first season in the Big 12 Conference.
Jensen, who spent twelve seasons as an assistant coach in the NBA, will draw on his experiences to build and strengthen the collegiate program at Utah. He has a reputation for excelling at player development, a skill honed through his significant role in transforming Rudy Gobert from a backup center into an NBA All-Star and elite defender during his time with the Utah Jazz. Jensen's time with the Jazz, where he served as Quin Snyder's lead assistant for much of a decade, was followed by a stint with the Dallas Mavericks under Jason Kidd starting in 2023.
In his new role, Jensen will split his time between the Mavericks and Utah until the Mavericks' season concludes. Despite the challenges this presents, Jensen remains committed to both roles.
"They've been great and I don't think they would mind if I left, but I just feel it's the right thing to do, to finish it out there which makes hiring a staff and getting going a little more difficult." – Alex Jensen
Jensen's history with Utah runs deep. As a former player for the Utes under Rick Majerus from 1994-95 and 1997-2000, Jensen was part of the team that reached the 1998 NCAA Tournament championship game. His playing career was marked by impressive stats, including first-team All-MWC honors as a senior, averaging 13.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. Over four seasons, he accumulated a total of 1,279 points and 896 rebounds.
Reflecting on his former coach, Jensen remarked on the lasting impact Majerus had on his understanding of basketball.
"The line I always say with Coach Majerus — and we joke about it — is he kind of ruins the game for you because you learn it's hard to watch a game without picking it apart." – Alex Jensen
Jensen's goal is to bring a professional approach to the college game while recognizing that players at this level share commonalities with their professional counterparts.
"The college game, I think, is becoming more and more professional, but I think most players are the same." – Alex Jensen
Announced as Utah's coach on Monday, Jensen embarks on this new chapter with a commitment to leveraging his NBA insights to elevate the team's performance. His return is not just a homecoming but also an opportunity to instill a new focus and direction for Utah's basketball program.
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