Utah News

TORREY, Wayne County — An Iowa man who shot and killed three Utah women at random without warning in southern Utah had no prior connection to his victims and no ties to the area, but claimed it “had to be done” to steal their cars, according to prosecutors.

Ivan W. Miller, 22, of Blakesburg, Iowa, was charged in 6th District Court Thursday afternoon with three counts of aggravated murder, a first-degree felony. He is accused of randomly killing three women in Wayne County — including a woman in her 80s at her home in Lyman, and two women who were hiking on the Cockscomb Trail just off state Route 12 between Torrey and Teasdale.

Miller was arrested early Thursday near Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

The names of the three women have not yet been released. Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Cameron Roden said they are from “the area” but are not related to each other.

Brutal killings

Charging documents filed Thursday outline the brutal killings.

Miller told investigators “that he had hit an elk in Loa, Utah, a few days ago, sold his truck to a tow company, and stayed in an area hotel for a few days. Miller admitted that he had killed someone and stole a car,” according to charging documents. The elderly woman’s car was confirmed to be in Loa on Feb. 27.

During a second interview with the FBI in Colorado, he told an agent “that he stayed the night in the back shed at (the elderly woman’s home) after coming to Lyman. Miller advised that he saw a Buick Lesabre at that location and watched the old lady drive away. Miller then entered her home, waited for her behind a door, and shot her in the back of the head with the 1911 (pistol) while she was sitting down watching television,” the charges allege.

“Miller said he cleaned up the scene the best he could, dragged her to the out building and further down into the basement where he ultimately left her. Miller said he grabbed his stuff and took the car, but he did not like the car and wanted to find a different vehicle. Miller said he parked the vehicle near (the trailhead) where he saw a younger woman and an older woman get out of a white Subaru,” court documents state.

“Miller said that he went up to them and shot the younger one in what he thought was the chest and she went down. Miller then shot the other one twice in the body but that she was still moving. Miller then stabbed her multiple times in the heart,” prosecutors wrote in the charges.

“Miller admitted he dragged both alleged victims at (the trailhead) to a ditch and laid them next to one another. Miller said he did it because he needed money. Miller said that he took their credit cards and used the older woman’s card to buy gas. Miller said that his intent was to get back to Iowa,” according to the charges.

“Miller confessed that it ‘had to be done’ but he did not like to do it.”

A park ranger who responded to the trailhead “observed three spent .45 caliber shell casings and a spent 20- gauge shotgun shell near where the bodies were located. (The ranger) noted it appeared the bodies were possibly dragged to where they were laying, which was in a dried-up creek bed,” the charging documents say. He further noted that there were drops of blood on the road leading to where the bodies were found.

The two women killed near the hiking trailhead were found by their husbands, who went looking for them after they failed to return home on time. The men called the police after finding their bodies. Responding officers found the elderly woman’s stolen vehicle nearby and traced it back to her home, where her body was discovered, Roden said.

Court documents indicate that the vehicle was located “concealed under a tree in the area” and that “a live 20-gauge shotgun shell” was found near the vehicle.

When sheriff’s deputies went to the elderly woman’s home, they found more blood in the woman’s “front room and drag marks leading out of the home,” the charges state. The body of the woman was found “in a cellar located under a shed on the property. Deputies advised that it appeared the female was moved using a wheelbarrow.”

Tracking suspected gunman

Multiple agencies, including the FBI, then used technology such as license plate readers and “integrated tracking services” and tracked the car stolen from one of the two women in Torrey through southern Utah, into northern Arizona and eventually into southern Colorado, he said. Charges note that the vehicle was recorded driving through Bicknell, Wayne County, at 10:32 a.m. Wednesday. By 9:13 p.m., it was in Farmington, New Mexico.

That vehicle was then recorded in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, on Thursday and later found abandoned. After a brief search of the area, Miller was located and arrested without incident.

Officers in Colorado were notified Wednesday about 11:10 p.m. that the stolen vehicle wanted in connection with the three killings in Utah was in their area, according to a statement from Pagosa Springs police.

“A Pagosa Springs police officer found the vehicle within the city limits. The vehicle was then abandoned in Centennial Park in the downtown area,” the statement said.

About 2:40 a.m., Miller was located and detained.

“Upon a frisk of Miller, he was found in possession of a concealed handgun and large knife. Miller was arrested for possession of concealed weapons. A subsequent interview linked Miller to the deaths in Utah,” according to police.

Information about whether Miller was located inside a hotel, at a residence or in an outdoor area was not immediately available.

Roden said investigators were questioning Miller in Colorado Thursday in an attempt to learn more about his alleged crimes. Bank cards belonging to the three women were found in Miller’s wallet, the charge state.

“The investigations continue into Thursday morning as members of the Utah State Bureau of Investigation and the Utah Crime Lab process two crime scenes in the Lyman and Torrey area,” the Department of Public Safety announced Thursday. “There are no ongoing threats to the public, and investigators have no outstanding suspects.”

As word of the three deaths spread throughout Wayne County on Wednesday night, the sheriff’s office issued a statement “asking that all residents take extra precautions, keep lights on, keep doors locked, remain home or with others this evening if possible. Multiple law enforcement agencies are currently in the area.” Law enforcement agencies in surrounding counties issued similar messages.

All schools in Wayne County canceled classes for Thursday prior to Miller’s arrest “out of an abundance of caution.” Counselors will be available for students and teachers “when classes resume next week,” according to Torrey city administrators. The Wayne County Courthouse in Loa also announced it would be closed Thursday.

Torrey Mayor Mickey Wright issued a statement and extended his “deepest condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of the victims. This is a heartbreaking moment for our small, close‑knit community.”

“Our community is grieving today,” he said. “I want to acknowledge the professionalism and rapid response of law enforcement during yesterday’s multi‑state search. Their work brought clarity and safety back to our community during an extremely difficult and uncertain day.

“Our community is strong. In the coming days, we will support one another, check on our neighbors, and ensure that those affected by this tragedy are not alone.”

Iowa crimes

Miller was scheduled to appear in an Iowa courtroom on Friday on charges of theft, burglary, marijuana possession and being ineligible to carry a gun, according to court records.

In that case, Miller was found inside a cabin at Lake Wapello State Park in Davis County, Iowa, on Dec, 31, according to court records. A state park ranger who was going to clean the cabin and prepare it for an arriving guest found it unlocked and noticed it looked like someone was living inside, as food and pans were seen, according to court documents.

“I went to check the bedrooms and found a fully loaded 7.62 x 54 bolt-action rifle with bayonet and a fully loaded Diamondback AR-10 .308 with scope and bipod, along with several loaded magazines and extra ammunition in boxes and loose ammunition in a bag,” the ranger wrote in court documents.

As rangers were investigating, Miller “came to the door, softly knocked, then immediately put his hands in the air and backed away. I stepped outside with Mr. Miller and recognized him from a prior incident. He told me, ‘It’s OK, you can arrest me now,’” the charges state.

Miller claimed he had picked the lock on the cabin a couple of days earlier “so he could get somewhere warm.”

A few months before that, Miller was cited by Alaska wildlife troopers near Bristol Bay for “operating a vessel not equipped with personal flotation devices,” according to a bulletin from the Alaska Department of Public Safety.

The United States Hockey League’s regular season is nearing its end, with teams jockeying for playoff positioning to secure home ice advantage. The Dubuque Fighting Saints find themselves in third place in the Eastern Conference with 12 games remaining.

Currently in his first season at the USHL level, Norwegian-born defenseman Ludvig Lafton is putting together a very strong campaign. In the previous two years, Lafton played in Sweden for Farjestads Jr. of the Swedish Junior Hockey League. Through 44 games played, Lafton has posted one goal and 27 assists, finding himself tied for the 10th most points among all USHL defenseman.

Advertisement

“I feel like I have been playing worry-free and just trying to play my style of game,” Lafton said during an interview on Thursday afternoon. “My teammates and coaches have been amazing, whether it has been helping me out or encouraging me to play my game. They are always helping me out.”

The style of play in Europe is a little bit different than the North American game, something that Lafton has adjusted very well as the season has gone on.

“It’s been a transition from playing in Europe to playing over here with the smaller ice sheets and higher speeds,” Lafton said. “The game is more physical with the smaller ice and compacted space.”

In 2024, Lafton was selected to represent his home country of Norway at the World Junior Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden. The experience of getting to play for Norway was something that left a real impact on the now 20-year-old.

Advertisement

“It was a surreal experience. It was crazy to be there and play against all the top players in the world. It was an amazing learning moment,” Lafton said. “We had a really good team that year  and put together a really strong game against the United States of America.”

Although the Fighting Saints defenseman won’t be able to return to the 2027 World Juniors taking place in Edmonton, Lafton helped make sure Norway was elevated from the Division One tournament. In five games, Lafton posted one goal and eight assists, en route to Norway’s 5-0 record and good enough for promotion.

“It’s huge for Norwegian hockey and to help the next generation of players to get that national exposure,” Lafton said. “The difference between Division One and the top group is huge in terms of media coverage and fans that attend. It’s huge for Norway that we have teams in the top division for both Under-20 and Under-18.”

Utah Hockey Club’s 5th & 6th Round Recap After the Utah Hockey Club traded their seventh-round pick, they had four draft picks remaining. There were two picks in the fourth round and two in the fifth, so with that, let’s recap the last four picks made by Utah.

Advertisement

Lafton’s appearance at the World Juniors wasn’t the only major impact in 2024, as the defenseman was selected by the Utah Mammoth in the sixth round, 190th overall in the National Hockey League Draft, a dream come true in his hockey career.

“It was a pretty crazy and surreal moment. Just being a kid from Norway, I didn’t even think it was possible to be selected. I wanted to be drafted but couldn’t imagine it, and then it happened,” Lafton said. “I was in the car with my mom and sister on our way to my grandparents’ house when I got the call. I blacked out, my phone was blowing up, and then I received a call from Utah.

Lafton will continue to climb the ranks of the hockey world next season when he heads to the University of Maine to play for the Black Bears in the NCAA. The next step will be crucial for his development, and Lafton feels he has found the right spot.

“I got a really good feel for the place and the coaching staff they have. Speaking to the head coach, Ben Barr, he just gave me a good vision for the way they want me to play,” Lafton said. “The rink is an amazing place, and the town felt right to me. It just felt like the best place for me to go and develop my game.”

Advertisement

With 12 games remaining until the playoffs begin, Lafton remains focused on helping the group get their game to where it needs to be when the puck drops for postseason hockey.

“We know that when we’re playing our game, we can beat anybody,” Lafton said. “It’s just about sticking to the process, being consistent and getting better every single day.”

The process of getting better every single day is something Lafton knows he will need to keep aspiring towards if he is going to achieve his goal of playing in the NHL.

“Getting drafted gave me motivation to keep on working,” Lafton said. “The job is far from over, but my mind is set on playing in the NHL.”

The Fighting Saints return to action on Friday night when they travel on the road to face the Des Moines Buccaneers. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. CST.

The Utah Jazz won (or lost, from a tanking lens) against the Washington Wizards, with a final score of 122-112

Funny enough, Trae Young made his Wizards debut tonight. Conveniently, he was on a 20-minute restriction and didn’t play in the final quarter of the game (but what about anti-competitive behavior and integrity of the game!) and finished with 12 points, six assists, and three turnovers. To be clear, I don’t blame the Wizards for this – its something of a jab to the NBA to bring your player back from “injury” and play him against a fellow tanking team on a minutes restriction.

Advertisement

Regardless of this win’s lottery sting, a shining takeaway from tonight was Ace Bailey’s play. In the 10 games before tonight, Bailey has played the best basketball of his rookie season, averaging nearly 15 points and 6 rebounds a game. Tonight he reached a career high with 32 points from 12-19 shooting from the field, including 7-11 from three.

Every player looks better when their shot is falling, of course. But it’s especially clear how high his ceiling is when the combination of his athletic fluidity, length, size, and touch come together. The Jazz need this type of wing creation if they want to compete next season. Hopefully Bailey continues this trajectory.

Notably, Isaiah Collier, who has also improved his play as of late (despite possessing the ball nearly 50% of the time when he’s on the court!), finished with 27 points and 11 assists. I can imagine that next year, Collier will not have the ball so much when all of Utah’s weapons return. But it’s important he gets opportunities to run the offense – both Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. rely on their guards to set them up for good looks.

The Jazz continue their roadtrip and face off against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.

TORREY, Utah (AP) — Two men whose wives did not return from a hike in Utah’s south-central desert arrived at the trailhead Wednesday to find both women dead and a car missing, spurring a multi-state search that led investigators to a third body before they arrested a suspect Thursday in Colorado.

An Iowa man has been charged with aggravated murder in the deaths of the two hikers and a third woman authorities say he killed inside her home after he spent a night in a shed on her property. There was no indication that the man had any connection to the victims, said Lt. Cameron Roden of the Utah Department of Public Safety.

Ivan Miller, 22, told investigators after his arrest that he killed the three women to steal their cars and credit cards because he needed money to get back to Iowa, charging documents show. He had hit an elk a few days earlier in a tiny Utah farming town near Capitol Reef National Park and was without a vehicle after selling his truck to the tow company.

After staying in hotels for a few days, Miller slept in the woman’s shed. He stole her Buick after shooting her from behind while she was watching TV, Wayne County prosecutors allege.

3 MIN READ

9 MIN READ

4 MIN READ

Miller, of Blakesburg, Iowa, told authorities that he quickly realized he did not like the Buick and wanted a different vehicle, according to court documents. He parked it at a trailhead about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the first victim’s home, saw two women get out of a Subaru and killed them before taking the car, the documents state. He attempted to conceal their bodies in a dry creek bed, prosecutors allege.

The husbands called 911 and waved down a ranger after finding their wives shot and stabbed at the trail, which is used mostly by locals and partially shielded from the road by piñon and juniper trees, according to officials and court documents.

Officials identified the hikers as aunt and niece Linda Dewey, 65, and Natalie Graves, 34, and the woman killed in her home as Margaret Oldroyd, 86. The hikers had no known connection to Oldroyd.

Victim remembered as ‘the sweetest woman’

Authorities found Oldroyd’s body in a cellar under a shed on her property after identifying the owner of the stolen Buick left at the trailhead, according to court documents.

Police used yellow tape to cordon off the brick home in Lyman and an outbuilding while investigators gathered evidence Thursday.

Oldroyd’s next-door neighbor of 20 years, Randy Jones, described her as “the sweetest woman you’d ever meet” and said he was shocked by her death.

Oldroyd had a love of yard work, always keeping her flowers and lawn watered and neatly manicured. She used to work at a local grocery store stocking shelves, Jones said. And when Jones helped rid her yard of skunks, she’d bring him a cake as a thank you.

“Out here in rural counties, we all take care of each other,” Jones said.

In recent years, he didn’t see his neighbor leave home much except to attend religious services and pick up groceries. But every now and then, she would come over to Jones’ house, sit with him and visit his horses.

Suspect tracked across state lines

Investigators have not found a motive for the killings and do not believe the suspect targeted the women for any reason other than “convenience,” Roden said. Investigators were still looking into when Miller arrived in Utah and what he was doing prior to the killings.

Authorities used license plate readers and vehicle tracking services to follow Miller’s path, from Utah through northern Arizona and into the mountain town of Pagosa Springs in southwestern Colorado, where he abandoned the stolen vehicle, Roden said. He was found after a short search.

According to online jail records, Miller was being held on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon, a misdemeanor. He was arrested in Colorado with a large knife and a .45 caliber pistol, according to court documents, and was scheduled to make his first court appearance in the state Friday afternoon.

Miller is being represented at the hearing by the Colorado Public Defender’s office, said Justin Bogan, who heads the office in the judicial district that covers Pagosa Springs. Bogan declined to comment further. Voicemail messages left at listings for possible relatives of Miller were not immediately returned on Thursday.

Authorities were working to bring Miller to Utah to face the murder charges.

The Associated Press left a message for the public defender’s office in Utah late Thursday afternoon.

Before a suspect was in custody, Wayne County residents were asked to remain vigilant and schools were closed Thursday. Officials asked for help finding a white Subaru Outback but warned people not to approach it.

___

Slevin reported from Denver, Schoenbaum from Salt Lake City and Brumfield from Cockeysville, Maryland.

A suspect is in custody after three women were found dead at multiple crime scenes, prompting a shelter-in-place warning in southern Utah.

The bodies of the three women were found in multiple locations within Wayne County – which encompasses the popular tourist destination Torrey – on March 4, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS), which is aiding in the investigation.  

In a statement posted to social media, the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office confirmed “that a suspect in the Wayne County homicides was captured early this morning.” 

Officials did not provide additional details regarding the identity of the suspect. 

The bodies of the three women were found in multiple locations within Wayne County, Utah on Wednesday, March 4, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety. (iStock)

Authorities were initially called to the scene after receiving reports of two deceased females found along a hiking trail, DPS said in a statement.

 A third victim was subsequently discovered inside a residence within the county. 

Officials have not yet said why they believe the three homicides in separate locations are linked. 

FLORIDA MADMAN STALKED TOURISTS NEAR DISNEY BEFORE ALLEGEDLY KILLING THEM IN RANDOM ATTACK: FAMILY

Two victims were located on a hiking trail in Wayne County, with the third victim found inside a nearby residence, according to Utah DPS. (iStock)

Details regarding the identities of the three women have not been released, but authorities have said the women were in their 30s, 60s and 80s, according to DPS.

 Authorities previously asked the public to be on the lookout for a 2022 white Subaru Outback with license plate U560YF, but cautioned against approaching the vehicle and instead urged anyone who believes they may have spotted it to call law enforcement. 

Schools throughout the county also canceled classes “out of an abundance of caution” on both Thursday and Friday, according to the Wayne County School District.

 Two local health clinics also closed their doors on Thursday as the manhunt remained ongoing. 

MANHUNT UNDERWAY AFTER MISSOURI DEPUTY SLAIN, SUSPECT’S TRUCK SPOTTED HEADING TOWARD ARKANSAS BORDER

Details regarding the identities of the three women have not been released, but authorities have said the women were in their 30s, 60s and 80s, according to DPS. (iStock)

Additionally, authorities in nearby Garfield County also issued a warning to residents to lock their doors on Wednesday, but later said “there is no longer a threat in our area.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Utah DPS and WCSO did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. 

Anyone with information is urged to contact siac@utah.gov or call the tipline at 801-965-3838.

Related Article

This is the big one. The Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards.

Scroll all the way down the NBA standings, and you should be able to find these teams representing some of the very worst either conference has to offer. It’s an elderly goldfish vs a geriatric turtle. It’s coughing baby vs sneezing baby. It’s the fifth-worst Utah Jazz and fourth-worst Washington Wizards. The tagline for this blockbuster epic? Somebody’s got to win. That’s how basketball games work.

Advertisement

It’s professional sports’ worst-kept secret that these two teams have been gunning for lottery odds over Ws — they’ve been the usual suspects for the past few seasons, and this 2025-26 has been no exception.

Washington (16-45) has sidelined their newly acquired veteran stars, Trae Young and Anthony Davis, in an effort to lose today and win tomorrow (though Young struggles to remain sidelined at times). Though their strategy board reads only “TANK”, their new acquisitions arrived with a promise: lose today, win tomorrow.

Utah (18-44) is in a very similar trajectory since the trade deadline, though instead of banking on aging stars alongside their budding young core, the Jazz plug 27-year-old Jaren Jackson Jr. into their roster to pair with their youngsters and whatever you’d consider Lauri Markkanen to be. But with JJJ, Markkanen, and Kessler all out with injury, the Jazz are equally keen to burn the season in hopes of adding an excellent rookie to fortify what’s already forming into a frightening roster.

Lose today, win tomorrow. But again, somebody has got to win in the nation’s capital on Thursday. It’s inescapable.

Advertisement

The Jazz sit 1.5 games ahead of the Wizards in the current standings, but a Washington victory would cut the difference to just 0.5 games. Danny Ainge salivates. Austin Ainge continues to pretend that the Jazz don’t tank. The Inside Out HQ in Adam Silver’s brain has burned to ash in a fit of unbridled rage.

Utah and Washington are currently on a combined losing streak of 13 games, and just 4.5 and 3.0 games removed from the bottomless pit of Sacramento at the very bottom of the NBA ladder.

Keyonte George is officially back from his ankle injury and back to his old ways, dropping 30-plus in both of his two games back. If George plays, this contest leans to Utah on paper, as the Wizards have already announced the absence of Kyshawn George and leading scorer, rebounder, and defender, Alex Sarr. We’ll all watch with bated breath as the injury report will likely confirm that Keyonte George has contracted polio and will be absent for the next four weeks, as the NBA rushes its medical team to Key’s hotel room to confirm the reports.

Somebody has to win, gentlemen. Now shake hands and pretend to want it.

Advertisement

How to watch Utah vs Washington:

Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM MT
Location: Capitol One Arena, Washington, D.C.
Channel: KJZZ, Jazz+

Calvin Barrett is a writer, editor, and prolific Mario Kart racer located in Tokyo, Japan. He has covered the NBA and College Sports since 2024.

The Utah Jazz fell short against the Sixers, 106-102. For the most part, it was a duel between Keyonte George and Tyrese Maxey. George scored 30 points on 10/24 shooting from the field (41.7%) and 5/11 (45.5%) from three. It was very clear that Keyonte George was the equal of Tyrese Maxey, if not better. Maxey was also great, scoring 25 points on 8/22 (36.4%) shooting from the field and 2/10 (20%) from three. The comparison has been made often this season, with Keyonte George a strong candidate for Most Improved Player. The style is similar, and the numbers are very comparable. That’s what made this matchup so interesting. Now that it’s done, it’s time to start getting excited about the future for Keyonte George. His ability to run the offense, score at all levels, and defend at an improved level is pointing towards an elite season next year. It’s not out of the question to consider not just All-Star, but All-NBA, as real possibilities next year.

It wasn’t just Keyonte George who played well in the Jazz’s loss. Utah got some really solid minutes from Ace Bailey and Cody Williams. Cody Williams actually led the team in plus/minus at +15. It’s an absolute 180 from where we saw him last season. Williams’ potential to be a consistent and effective wing player is looking increasingly likely with each game. If he can consistently hit his open threes, Williams is looking like a nice pick at #10. Gone are the days of Jazz fans pining for Matas Buzelis. Ace Bailey’s percentages weren’t where you wanted them to be, but he’s showing more and more comfort in the Jazz’s system and initiating with the ball. Bailey is driving more regularly and even running pick-and-rolls. What’s great is that it’s looking more and more smooth. Not only that, Bailey is defending at a higher level and improving game after game. Bailey is playing with real force at times on the defensive end, and if he can consistently impact at a high level defensively, there’s a real chance he becomes a high-level, winning player in the league.

Advertisement

Isaiah Collier is also showing his value as a backup point guard. Collier had 18 and 5 tonight and scored at a solid clip. He can’t consistently hit threes, but his speed and power make up for it, at least as much as you can reasonably expect. That speed drives his greatest skill, his ability to get to the paint at will. Collier can bend the defense every night, and there’s a ton of value in that. With more time and work, Collier should be a vital part of the future and can be even better when surrounded by more consistent play around him.

Finally, it’s time to look at Blake Hinson as a potential part of the future. Hinson has done nothing but play well since joining the Jazz. In five games, Hinson is shooting 56% from the field and 52% from three. Not only that, Hinson brings real size (he’s 6’8”) and intensity on the defensive end. That combination makes him a valuable potential role player for the Jazz going forward. Yes, he’s 26, but now is the time for the Jazz to start looking at players as potential parts of the future. Hinson seems like the exact type of player that winning teams find in the G-League.

It’s nights like tonight, where Utah loses just barely at the end, that will be different next season. Utah is doing a fantastic job of keeping its pick this season. This decision is going to add another top prospect to the roster and will help the Jazz enter an era of winning basketball we haven’t seen since the early Donovan Mitchell years and up to the time of Deron Williams.

It certainly seemed like Utah was going to run away with it in Philadelphia, leading for most of the fourth quarter before the home Sixers slipped ahead to win 106-102. Utah maintains its tank race momentum (phew), and Philly advances without the services of Joel Embiid, but what’s new?

Well…

Advertisement

Mo Bamba – A

It makes no difference to me how this game played out because Mo Bamba is officially in the Utah Jazz record books after years of teasing. I feel for Bamba, the sixth overall pick in his draft class, whose career has been entirely overshadowed by a mediocre song. Hopping from team to team, most Gen Z-ers probably recognize the name more than the player, and that makes me feel simultaneously old and hipster.

Bamba gets an A based on vibes alone. He deserves it.

Keyonte George – A-

We certainly missed Keyonte while he was out with an injury, and he’s taken no time at all to remind us how great he’s become in his third season. Who would’ve thought that Utah would find their point guard of the future with the 16th overall pick?

Advertisement

After a slow start, Key pulled together his second-straight 30-point game since his return — even after bearing the weight of Nikola Jokic, carrying Denver’s pillar on his back in the previous game. I got distracted. Keyonte was dynamite at carrying the scoring load, knocking through 50% of his threes and finishing with 30. Do we want to see more from a playmaking standpoint? Sure. But buckets are buckets, and Keyonte is one.

Kyle Filipowski – C-

I wouldn’t blame you if you had forgotten Filipowski played at all tonight. Despite opening in the starting lineup, Flip posted just 6 points in 22 minutes.

Advertisement

John Konchar – B-

Konchar does Konchar things — filling in the gaps off the bench. Sure, he didn’t do much as far as scoring the ball, but with 3 assists, plus a steal and a block, seeing Konchar get minutes brings a smile to my face.

Cody Williams – C+

Classic Cody performance. 9 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and some decent defense. 3 for 6 from the field and 1 for 4 from deep is also incredibly on brand.

Ace Bailey – C-

Ace really struggled to get it going tonight, and this is bound to happen for a player his age. 5 for 16 from the field and 12 points is fine. It’s fine.

On to the next one for Ace.

Advertisement

Isaiah Collier – B+

Collier bought a timeshare at the free throw line tonight, with a team-high 8 attempts from the stripe. He felt right at home in his new spot, too, knocking down 100% of those foul shots.

He stuck to his strengths, posting 18 points without a single three-point attempt, while adding 5 dimes (a bit low by his standard), and 3 steals. No waste from Zay tonight, and he’s proving his worth as a backup point guard.

John Hinson – B+

3 for 5 from distance, and 11 points in 18 minutes? Nobody knew this guy’s name a few months ago, but now a very niche subsection of basketball fans will be celebrating his emergence with Utah.

Advertisement

Elijah Harkless – B

Is Harkless emerging as an excellent defender? You bet! He proved that against Denver, and he showed similar flashes tonight. But he was an absolute non-factor offensively, and you’d hope for more when he’s given the starting nod.

Brice Sensabaugh – D+

He’s hot. He’s cold. He’s 3 for 12 in Philly.

Oscar Tshiebwe – C

Seeing Oscar Tshiebwe sub in for Mo Bamba was a sicko’s fever dream, and an undeniable indicator that we’re approaching a critical tanking stretch of the season.

Tshiebwe did what Tshiebwe does best: board, board, board. Unfortunately, he likewise did what Tshiebwe does most: sit, sit, sit. Short stint, but he got in the game, didn’t he? That’s a win!

Calvin Barrett is a writer, editor, and prolific Mario Kart racer located in Tokyo, Japan. He has covered the NBA and College Sports since 2024.