Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Throughout sports the best teams usually have a good mixture of young up-and-coming players combined with veterans who bring leadership and wisdom to a particular team. General managers are always trying to find the perfect balance to build their team around.
For example, the Golden State Warriors, who broke the NBA record for regular-season wins the past season, had an average age of 27.5 on their roster. They're not the oldest or the youngest team in the NBA but much closer to the average.
Even with that reasoning, owners and fans alike are always enamored with the next face of the franchise. General managers want players who have potential to grow or the younger option who could replace a veteran’s production at a smaller salary. On the college level, coaches are looking down the pipeline for who will replace the departing senior’s production.
This compromised list ranks the best young professional and collegiate players throughout the state.
To qualify for the list a player must be under 25 if he plays professionally or a sophomore if he’s a student athlete. Incoming rookies and freshman were not included.
Utah Jazz
Rudy Gobert, 24
The Stifle Tower is entering his fourth season with the Utah Jazz. Last season, his first as a full-time starter, he averaged 9.1 points, 11 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game. Gobert finished 11th in NBA all-defensive team voting and will likely make the team with a healthy 2016-2017 season.
Rodney Hood, 23
Entering his third season with the Utah Jazz, fans are expecting big things from Hood. Last season he was on Team USA, which participated in the Rising Stars Rookie-Sophomore Game during All-Star weekend. The NBA world took notice of Hood when he scored 30 points, including eight 3-pointers on the Los Angeles Lakers in one half.
Trey Lyles, 20
As a rookie, Lyles started in 33 games and saw his minutes increase drastically as injuries to the Jazz big men piled up. Lyles took advantage of that opportunity and improved as the season went on. His strong play earned him an invite to play on Team World in the Stars Rookie-Sophomore Game during All-Star weekend.
Real Salt Lake
Joao Plata, 24
Plata started this season on fire scoring or assisting in RSL’s first six MLS games. His hot start earned him MLS player of the month for March. So far this year he has scored five goals and has six assists in 14 appearances.
Jordan Allen, 21
This season Allen is usually the first man off the bench for RSL. He has earned the nickname "the Swiss army knife" from RSL announcer, Brian Dunseth, for his versatility to play multiple positions. His highlight of the season came against Houston Dynamo when in aneight-minutee span he turned the game around with a goal and assist to help RSL to victory.
Justen Glad, 19
This year is Glad’s first season with RSL as a full-time starter. Going into the season, center back was viewed by many as RSL’s weakest position group. Glad's emergence with solid play has been a pleasant surprise. He has appeared in 13 games and has one goal and one assist.
BYU Cougars Basketball
Nick Emery, 21
Emery’s most famous play of the 2015-2016 season had nothing to do with a basketball play. Once past the punch, no one can deny his talent on the court. Emery averaged 16.2 points per game, shooting 38.3 percent from behind the arc. Emery will be joined by a few of his Lone Peak High School teammates this season. The team will be young but have a lot of potential.
BYU Cougars Football
Tanner Mangum, 22
Mangum burst onto the scene with his Hail Mary touchdown pass that gave BYU a victory over Nebraska in the season opener last season. In 2015, he threw for 3,377 yards and 23 touchdowns. Mangum will battle for the starting quarterback job in camp this fall with Taysom Hill. No matter the outcome, because of Taysom Hill’s injury history, Mangum will likely see some time under center this year.
Utah Utes Football
Britain Covey, 19
One of Utah’s playmakers last season, Covey showed star potential from the season opener. Covey finished his freshman year with 43 receptions for 519 yards, and four touchdowns. He also returned a punt for a touchdown. His strong season earned him All-Pac-12 team honorable mention. If Covey can stay healthy he should be a great slot receiver for years to come. He is currently serving an LDS mission, so Utah fans will have to wait two years to see more big plays.
Chase Hansen, 23
Is he a quarterback, safety or maybe linebacker? Hansen played well on defense in his limited role last year. Hansen’s best game came against Washington with 11 tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup. Unfortunately for him, he left the game early with a leg injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season. Hansen’s position for the upcoming season is up in the air with Coach Kyle Whittingham not ruling any position out. It is likely Hansen will start on defense.
