Utah Jazz notes: Johnnie Bryant breaks new ground, Ekpe Udoh’s ruthless D

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JULY 8: Johnnie Bryant Assistant Coach and Dante Exum. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JULY 8: Johnnie Bryant Assistant Coach and Dante Exum. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Your Friday dish of Utah Jazz news bits, including Johnnie Bryant’s groundbreaking trip to Israel, Ekpe Udoh’s merciless defense and Donovan Mitchell’s crazy range.

Utah Jazz Johnnie Bryant Dante Exum
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JULY 8: Johnnie Bryant Assistant Coach and Dante Exum. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)

Early this month, Utah Jazz wing Thabo Sefolosha represented the team at NBA Africa 2017. In conjunction with Basketball Without Borders, the event benefited organizations like UNICEF and the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Next week, Jazz assistant coach Johnnie Bryant will follow suit, joining BWB for the 16th edition of BWB Europe 2017.

Running from August 13-16 in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Netanya, this year’s edition marks the first time a BWB program has emanated from Israel. Of course, Bryant is no stranger to breaking new ground with BWB. One year ago, he joined Sefolosha as part of the first-ever camp to be held in Angola.

Per Jazz PR, Bryant is joining a host of players, legends and coaches from the NBA, WNBA and FIBA. Together, they’ll conduct camps for the top 62 kids aged 17 and under from 22 different countries.

From the official announcement

"BWB Europe 2017 will bring together hundreds of youth from Christian, Druze, Jewish, Muslim and other communities for a series of community events, including workshops on cultural understanding, clinics focused on basketball skill development, and team-building and leadership sessions."

Good on the University of Utah star turned Jazz player development coach for continuing to do his part.