Former Utah Jazz Player Bryon Russell visited Kemmerer’s Canyon Elementary on Friday, June 16.

Russell played for the Utah Jazz from 1993 to 2002. He also played for the Denver Nuggets, the Washington Wizards and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Russell helped the Jazz to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 1997 and 1998.

Russell talked to the kids and showed them some drills. Then the children split up into teams to play against Russell and Jr. Jazz program organizer Matt Cahoon. 

The players cheered every time Russell shot, whether he made it or not. Russell even lifted up the smallest children to let them dunk a basket. 

After running up and down the court dozens of times in an envious display of energy, each child was invited to have Russell autograph something for them.

The Kemmerer Recreation Center provided pictures of Russell that he could sign for all the children, but some kids brought their own items, like Junior Jazz jerseys and hats.

Russell also signed a Utah Jazz banner for display in the Kemmerer Rec Center. 

After autographs, every kid — and a few parents — got to take their picture with Russell.

As Russell chatted with the kids and posed for pictures, he answered the same question again and again from kids craning their neck to talk to him: “How tall are you?” 

And again and again, Russell patiently answered, 6’7” — a height which made watching pint-sized Kemmerer kids play defense against him all the more entertaining.