C.J. Miles connects with youth on Junior Jazz tour: ‘You never know where you stand in someone’s story’
Jun 25, 2026, 4:57 PM
(Photo courtesy of the Utah Jazz)
(Photo courtesy of the Utah Jazz)
SALT LAKE CITY — Former Jazz player C.J. Miles is spending the summer bringing basketball to kids across the Mountain West through Junior Jazz.
Amid his many endeavors as a photographer, basketball analyst and more, Miles has continued to make time for the franchise and the state of Utah.
However, his work with Junior Jazz has hit a little differently this summer, as it comes 20 years after he participated in similar events following his rookie season.
Doing Junior Jazz tour in southern Utah 20 years later with my first born is another moment I didn’t see coming.
The last couple years have been truly a blessing to my Mind and Spirit.
🤲🏾
— C.J. Miles (@masfresco) June 21, 2026
Talking about the full circle moment, Miles first highlighted the growth of the game of basketball, saying that the camps he did two decades ago weren’t nearly as packed as they have been in 2026.
He then talked about his experience being back in Utah, now with his oldest daughter, and hearing stories from fans about their view on his times with the Jazz.
It’s pretty crazy. One, just to see the growth of the game. When I did them, the groups were really small. The only one that was big was the camp we did in St. George but it was at a college, so that’s why it was so big. But, all of the rest of them were small. We’ve had groups of 100, 250, 300 kids. I think that’s been great. And then, just being back in Utah 20 years later with my oldest daughter. Doing this, being around, and hearing stories. I had a lady come tell me she was at my 40-point game and her kid was in my jersey. Another lady told me that she wore 34 in high school because I was playing when she was coming in and we were close to the same age. You never know where you stand in someone’s story. To hear that you’ve had some type of affect is always cool.
Miles was drafted by the Utah Jazz with the 34th overall pick in the second round of the 2005 NBA Draft.
He spent the first seven years of his career in Utah and was a part of the Jazz’s Western Conference Finals run in 2006-07.
I talked to C.J. about his involvement with the Junior Jazz and the full circle moment for him to be back in Utah 20 years after his rookie season.
(I also snuck in a question about the Jazz drafting Darryn Peterson) 👀 https://t.co/QzKA3hfLBf pic.twitter.com/DqAQBeQW0S
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) June 25, 2026
About Junior Jazz
Junior Jazz is Utah’s youth sports program that reaches over 70,000 kids throughout the state and even extends to recreation centers in Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, and Nevada.
The JazzYouth website says, “Junior Jazz emphasizes developing teamwork and fundamental basketball skills, supported by positive adult participation. Junior Jazz also includes a sportsmanship initiative that empowers athletes, coaches, parents, fans, and staff to be respectful and exemplify positive sportsmanship.”
Read more about the NBA’s longest-running youth basketball league here.
