An underrated subplot has emerged in the Ace Bailey-Utah Jazz situation.
Omar Cooper Jr. is getting an opportunity with the Jazz as a guest coach, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reported on Wednesday. Larsen notes that Cooper Jr. will be guest coaching for Utah during NBA Summer League (with the Jazz allowing him to shadow NBA coaches as Cooper Jr. looks to begin his career in coaching).
Cooper Jr., 24, is the son of Omar Cooper, the controversial manager of Jazz rookie Ace Bailey. He is also the twin brother of Sharife Cooper, a former Atlanta Hawks guard who now plays professionally in France.
The elder Cooper has drawn scrutiny this summer over his representation of Bailey. The 18-year-old Bailey attempted to steer himself away from certain teams in the draft by refusing to work out for them (even allegedly threatening one potential suitor). However, the Jazz, a team that Bailey reportedly was not interested in, selected him with the No. 5 overall pick anyway.
After being picked by Utah, Bailey did not immediately report to the Jazz but eventually relented a few days later. Video also later emerged of Cooper flexing his riches for the camera in a social media post, further adding to the controversy.
As for Cooper Jr., he is looking to get into coaching after averaging 1.7 points per game as a senior guard last season for McNeese State. The fact that Cooper Jr’s father is the manager of Utah’s prized rookie lottery pick might raise some eyebrows. But that is apparently no problem for the Jazz organization, which is run by a notable father-and-son duo itself.
