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SALT LAKE CITY — With Utah’s first-in-the-nation ban on fluoride in public drinking water set to take effect Wednesday, dentists who treat children and low-income patients say they’re bracing for an increase in tooth decay among the state’s most vulnerable people.

Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed the law against the recommendation of many dentists and national health experts who warn removing fluoride will harm tooth development, especially in young patients without regular access to dental care.

The bill’s sponsor, Republican Rep. Stephanie Gricius, said she does not dispute that fluoride can have some benefits but thinks people should not be given it by the government without their informed consent.

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. applauded Utah for being the first state to enact a ban and said he plans to direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stop recommending fluoridation nationwide.

Florida could soon become the second state to ban fluoride under a bill awaiting Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature. The Ohio and South Carolina legislatures are considering similar measures.

Dissected human teeth are displayed in the office of dentist Dr. James Bekker on April 30 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

(Hannah Schoenbaum / Associated Press)

Many patients not in the know

A majority of Utah water systems already did not add fluoride. The state ranked 44th in the nation for the percentage of residents receiving fluoridated water, with about 2 in 5 receiving it in 2022, according to CDC data. The law will impact about 1.6 million people in Salt Lake City and elsewhere in northern Utah who are losing fluoridation, state officials say.

Dentists in Salt Lake City over the past week said many patients were unaware of the upcoming ban, and most did not realize the city had been adding fluoride to their drinking water for nearly two decades.

“I did not know about a ban,” said Noe Figueroa, a patient at Salt Lake Donated Dental Services, a clinic that provides free or heavily discounted dental treatment to low-income residents. “Well, that’s not good. I don’t think that’s good at all.”

At Donated Dental, providers expect their months-long wait list for children’s procedures to grow significantly and their need for volunteer dentists to skyrocket. The effects of the ban in children’s teeth will likely be visible within the next year, said Sasha Harvey, the clinic’s executive director.

“Right now, we’re scheduling into August and September for some 2-, 3-, 4-year-olds that are in so much pain that they can’t eat properly, and there’s nothing we can do but tell parents, ‘You’re gonna have to wait.’ It’s heartbreaking,” Harvey said, adding that it’s likely to get much worse.

A public health achievement under scrutiny

The fluoridation process involves supplementing the low levels of naturally occurring fluoride in most water to reach the 0.7 milligrams per liter recommended by the CDC for cavity prevention. Water treatment plants dump fluoride into the water in liquid or powder form and often use dosing pumps to adjust the levels.

Nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population receives fluoridated drinking water, according to health officials. It was long considered among the greatest public health achievements of the last century.

Fluoride fortifies teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear, according to the CDC. It’s especially important to children whose teeth are still developing. For some low-income families, public drinking water containing fluoride may be their only source of preventative dental care.

Some supporters of the Utah law pointed to studies linking high levels of fluoride exposure to illness and low IQ in kids. The National Institutes of Health says it’s “virtually impossible” to get a toxic dose from fluoride added to water or toothpaste at standard levels.

The governor said that, like many people in Utah, he grew up and raised his children in a community without fluoridated water. Before signing the bill, Cox said there is no difference in health outcomes between communities with and without fluoride — a statement Utah dentists say is false.

“Any dentist can look in someone’s mouth in Utah and tell exactly where they grew up. Did you grow up in a fluoridated area or a non-fluoridated area? We can tell by the level of decay,” said Dr. James Bekker, a pediatric dentist at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

Barriers to fluoride supplements

The law shifts responsibility to individuals, meaning all Utah residents will need to be proactive about their oral health, Harvey said. Most patients at her clinic only come in when a toothache becomes unbearable, and many cannot spare the few dollars a month needed to buy fluoride supplements to add to their drinking water at home.

Figueroa, the free dental clinic patient, said other expenses take priority.

Fluoride toothpaste alone is insufficient for children because it doesn’t penetrate the tooth’s outer layer, Bekker said. When a person regularly ingests fluoridated water, their saliva bathes the teeth in fluoride throughout the day and makes them stronger.

Bekker said he recommends Utah parents add fluoride supplements to their children’s drinking water. But for families who don’t visit doctors regularly, that may prove difficult.

Fluoride tablets require a prescription from a doctor or dentist. Utah providers are working to make the supplement accessible over the counter, but Bekker said that change may be months or years away.

Schoenbaum writes for the Associated Press.

Duke football took a meaningful step forward on Monday with the addition of tight end Landen King, a graduate transfer from Utah who also previously played at Auburn. King, who entered the NCAA transfer portal with a “Do Not Contact” tag, announced his commitment to the Blue Devils on social media just days after officially hitting the portal. The decision brings both experience and versatility to Duke’s tight end room as the program prepares for year two under head coach Manny Diaz.

A Career Marked by Development

King began his collegiate career as part of Auburn’s 2021 recruiting class. A three-star prospect out of high school, he was ranked No. 620 overall and the No. 34 tight end in his class by the On3 Industry Rankings. After two seasons with limited production at Auburn, King transferred to Utah, where he found his stride in 2023, recording 14 receptions for 166 yards and three touchdowns, the most productive year of his college tenure.

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His 2024 campaign was more subdued. King didn’t appear in a game until November, ultimately finishing the season with three catches for 54 yards and a touchdown. Now set for his fifth year of eligibility, King brings a 6-foot-5 frame and a history of adapting to new systems, making him a flexible piece in Duke’s offensive puzzle.

Strategic Addition

For Duke, King represents more than just depth at tight end; he reflects a strategic effort to build on recent momentum. Under first-year head coach Manny Diaz, the Blue Devils went 9-4 in 2024 and earned a Gator Bowl appearance. Though they fell to Ole Miss in that game, the season marked a promising start to Diaz’s tenure. Adding a veteran tight end with Power Five experience aligns with the program’s broader push toward consistency and competitiveness in the ACC.

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Duke’s 2025 schedule includes notable matchups against NC State, Clemson, Wake Forest, and an anticipated face-off with North Carolina, now led by Bill Belichick. King’s experience in multiple high-level environments could provide critical support in navigating that slate.

Rapid Turnaround Potential

King’s swift transition from portal entry to commitment also underscores the evolving nature of college football’s transfer ecosystem. With the spring window open from April 16 to April 25, programs had a brief but critical period to identify needs and pursue talent. Over 3,600 FBS scholarship players entered the portal during the 2024-25 cycle, reflecting a new norm of player mobility and program recalibration.

King’s move to Duke is emblematic of that shift, a veteran player seeking a final opportunity and a program ready to benefit from his experience.

Against prevailing odds, the Utah Hockey Club will pick fourth in the 2025 NHL Draft after winning the second lottery drawing on Monday night.

A team can move up a maximum of 10 spots. Utah finished with the 14th-best record in the NHL in the 2024-25 season, meaning the fourth overall pick is the best it could hope for.

“To pick at four — A couple seconds ago we were 10 back,” said general manager Bill Armstrong in a press conference just minutes after the conclusion of the draft lottery.

“It still hasn’t sunk in, but what a great opportunity for us to be able to move that far up in the draft.”

It’s all decided by a series of ping pong balls drawn from a machine. Utah’s lucky numbers were 1, 3, 5 and 12.

It was the league’s first time doing a live draft lottery. In past years, it has been done privately with the positions revealed on television afterwards.

There has long been speculation that the league could rig it in favor of the teams it feels need a boost, but the new process squashes the tinfoil hats.

Utah HC’s list of prospects available to them improves drastically with this win. This year’s draft is not believed to be incredibly deep, but the top few players are projected to be game-changers.

Armstrong said he’s not opposed to trading the pick if that’s the best option available to him.

“Obviously we’ll always talk about it,” he said. “We’ll never shut that door.”

Last year, he made trades at the draft to acquire Mikhail Sergachev, John Marino and a second first-round pick. Trading the No. 4 pick this year could be key in landing another major player to help the team shift from rebuild mode to a perennial playoff team.

The winner of the first overall pick Monday was equally surprising: Like Utah, the 10th-worst New York Islanders moved up their maximum number of spots.

Prior to Monday, it had only happened once in NHL history that a team moved up 10 spots. The San Jose Sharks and the Chicago Blackhawks, who respectively finished the 2024-25 season in last and second-to-last place, will have the second and third picks, respectively, by default.

Calvin Barrett is a writer, editor, and prolific Mario Kart racer located in Provo, Utah. Currently writing for SB Nation and FanSided, he has covered the Utah Jazz and BYU athletics since 2024 and graduated (woohoo!) from Utah Valley University.

Have no doubt: Will Hardy is here to stay with the Utah Jazz for the long haul, and that was made clear as owner Ryan Smith announced the coach’s contract extension to remain in the Salt Lake Valley through the turn of the next decade.

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Hardy is an often overlooked aspect of the seismic shift in the landscape of the Utah Jazz organization back in 2022. In the wake of the Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell exchanges, Utah likewise overhauled its coaching staff by drawing in a young coach who many considered the heir apparent of the heir apparent of the Celtics’ throne.

Though he has yet to reach the playoffs with his young Jazz team, it’s clear that Hardy’s regimen, combined with an affable personality, has stretched his young Jazz roster well beyond their expected win totals — almost to the detriment of a team hoping to build a championship contender through the draft.

Like a desperate desert wanderer, he’s been able to discover fresh water in some of the most unlikely of places. His will to survive — pardon my pun — has revealed some fascinating building blocks of a potential future championship squad.

Isaiah Collier? From a borderline NBA player to a playmaking manifesto, his rookie season was a major success. Kyle Filipowski? Unexpectedly, he became one of the best rookies in his entire draft class, despite slipping to the second round. You already know about the career revival of Lauri Markkanen, an international hooper who entered the NBA a touch flat before exploding with Hardy and the Jazz.

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While his run in Utah is still very young, it’s clear that Hardy’s boys (I can’t help myself) have outperformed expectations time and time again. In a long and exhausting rebuilding process, it’s important to have the right individuals in place. Hardy has bought into the program, and his shared conviction has bled into every fiber of his stewardship.

Will Hardy is here to stay, and the future of the Utah Jazz just got that much brighter.

More from slcdunk.com:

Will Hardy isn’t going anywhere any time soon.

The Utah Jazz announced Monday morning that Hardy has signed a multi-year contract extension to stay with the franchise through 2031.

Hardy just completed his third season as the head coach of the Jazz, who are mired in a long-term rebuild, but team governor Ryan Smith stated that the hope is that Hardy will be the head coach of the franchise when it returns to title contention.

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“Will is an incredible leader, great communicator — especially with our younger players — and a strong ambassador for this franchise,” Smith said in a statement. “He has been a tremendous partner to Danny (Ainge), Justin (Zanik), and me. There is no one we would rather have leading us to our ultimate goal of winning an NBA championship here in Utah.”

Added Ainge: “Will’s leadership has been invaluable to our program. He has established a vision for our players and a strong foundation of core values, competitive habits, and growth mindset. He is one of the brightest young coaches in our league, and we are incredibly fortunate to have him.”

Hardy’s record leading the Jazz — so far — is 85-161, a winning percentage of .346.

Utah has been far away from being a good NBA team and finished this season (2024-25) with the worst record in the league at 17-65.

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Hardy is still considered something of a rising star in the coaching industry, though, after assistant coaching stints with the San Antonio Spurs and the Boston Celtics.

“I love Utah and the Jazz organization and am extremely grateful for the opportunity to continue to help guide our team,” Hardy said in a statement. “I believe in what we are building. We have a talented group of coaches and people all working to build a championship program for this incredible fan base. I want to thank Ryan, Ashley (Smith), Danny, and Justin for the support they have shown me since I first arrived in Utah. I am excited to continue our journey.”

It’s apparent that the Minnesota Wild coaching staff does not trust 23-year-old center Marco Rossi. He averaged just over 11 minutes per game in the playoffs and was downgraded to the fourth line — and yet he still managed two goals and three points in six games.

But you know who does trust him? Utah Hockey Club head coach André Tourigny and assistant coach Mario Duhamel.

The trio of Rossi, Tourigny and Duhamel represented the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s from 2018-2020, during which time Rossi accomplished a 120-point season (despite only playing 56 games) and the team made a trip to the Ross Robertson Cup Final.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman hinted on Monday’s episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast that Rossi, a pending restricted free agent, could be on the move this summer. If that’s the case, Utah should take a long, hard look at him.

Where would Marco Rossi fit into Utah HC’s lineup?

Rossi makes sense in Utah for more reasons than just his connection to the coaching staff. His age and position are exactly what they need.

Logan Cooley will undoubtedly be the franchise’s permanent No. 1 center, but the No. 2 slot is up for grabs. Barrett Hayton handled that role well this season, but on a Stanley Cup-winning team, he’s probably a perfect No. 3.

Rossi is well on his way to proving himself as a second-line center, despite his limited usage in these playoffs. He scored 40 points last year, 60 this year and with three points in the playoffs, he’s showing that he doesn’t shrink with the physicality of the postseason.

He’s only 5-foot-9, but you wouldn’t know it by the way he plays: His game revolves around proximity to the net, where he picks up a lot of rebounds. That’s a playing style that transcends age, speed and strength — look at what 39-year-old Corey Perry is doing right now.

At age 23, Rossi can grow and develop with Utah’s similarly aged core. He could be a core piece for years to come.

What would it take for Utah HC to land Marco Rossi?

General manager Bill Armstrong hinted in his postseason press conference that he’s probably not going to sign any offer sheets this summer, so the only way to land the Austrian would be via trade.

It’s hard to imagine any UHC deal that doesn’t involve Matias Maccelli going the other way — and he might fit the Wild’s systems well. He played his best hockey on a line with big guys Nick Bjugstad and Lawson Crouse, but when their play dropped off, so did his.

The Wild have a number of giants who can put the puck in the net — they just need an elite playmaker to get them the puck.

Of course, Maccelli’s 18 points and dozens of healthy scratches this season won’t be enough to land a player like Rossi in a one-for-one swap, but it’s well-documented that Utah HC has too many young prospects to possibly be able to sign them all. Shipping one of them out with Maccelli wouldn’t make a dent in their cupboards and it might be enough to get the deal done.

For the sake of the individuals involved, the gold standard in a trade should be the one that sent Darcy Kuemper to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Pierre-Luc Dubois. Both players were thought to be buyout candidates, but the change of scenery turned Kuemper into a Vezina Trophy finalist and allowed Dubois to set new career highs in a number of categories.

Maccelli is a proven top-tier playmaker who didn’t have a good fit this season. Rossi is an excellent player who has struggled to gain trust. A fresh start may be exactly what both players need.

Who are the 25 — or 27, including a couple of ties — most notable athletes in the state of Utah right now? And by notable, I mean some magical mix of outstanding, watchable, talented, impactful, important to their team or sport or fan base, famous, infamous, and/or popular. Go ahead and argue over it. The criteria indeed is vague, undefined and unspecific enough to make room for nearly anyone’s and everyone’s opinion.

If I missed somebody, or somebodies, forgive me — and debate me — for I know not that I have sinned.

Regardless, here’s my list, ranked in inverted order:

25. Connor Mantz. Mantz is a former BYU runner who during his college career won national championships in cross country. He then moved on to running marathons and other distance races. He finished first at the 2024 U.S. Olympic marathon trials, and set an American record at the 2025 Houston half marathon, breaking a mark that had stood for 18 years. At the recent Boston Marathon, Mantz ran the second-fastest time ever for an American on that course, finishing fourth overall.

24. Hunter Woodhall. An athlete who attended Syracuse High School, becoming a top track competitor there, going on to win medals in the men’s 400 meters at the Summer Paralympics, a bronze in 2020 and a gold in 2024. He’s won other medals at various world events. His story is remarkable, made that way in part by the fact that he had both of his legs amputated as an infant due to a condition that made that measure necessary. He runs on blades, runs fast on blades, and is an international star.

23. (tie) Isaiah Glasker and Lander Barton. The BYU and Utah linebackers are both stellar defenders for their respective teams, Glasker having been named an honorable mention All-American by Sports Illustrated for the 2024 season and Barton following in his brothers’ footsteps as a standout at Utah. Glasker led the Cougars in total tackles with 70, 42 of them unassisted, and Barton led the Utes with 72.

22. Chase Roberts. BYU’s 6-4, 210-pound receiver caught 52 passes in 2024 for 854 yards, four touchdowns, and a 16.4 average. A number of Roberts’ receptions came at pivotal moments on pivotal downs to keep pivotal drives alive last season, helping the Cougars to their 11-2 record. He’s appeared to be something of a security blanket for BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff, and is projected to play a huge role for the Cougars in the 2025 season.

21. Avery Neff. A highly-touted gymnastics recruit for the Utes, Neff battled through a freshman season, overcoming injuries, to help Utah get to the NCAA finals. And her future as a Ute looks even brighter, a name to keep an eye on in the seasons ahead.

20. Rob Wright III. The point guard caused a Big 12 storm when he transferred from Baylor to BYU after a freshman season when he averaged 11.5 points and 4.2 assists for the Bears. As for BYU, Wright will fill the hole left by Egor Demin, bound to be a first-round pick in the coming NBA draft. Wright seemed to indicate that BYU presented a better opportunity to prepare him for a future as a pro, which rankled some in the Baylor program that fairly regularly sends players to the NBA. Either way, the Cougars are happy to have him.

19. Keanu Tanuvasa. The former Utah defensive tackle also caused a stir when he recently announced his transfer to BYU for reasons that are his own, spanning from religious to connection to certain Cougar coaches to NIL money. This upset more than a few Utah fans and pleased BYU fans, all of which lifted Tanuvasa’s profile to a level that will command the attention of many college football fans inside and outside the state.

18. Isaiah Collier. A Jazz up-and-comer who would be more up-and-arrived if he knew how to shoot straight and play a little defense. He doesn’t — not yet, anyway — but in his rookie season he was a relative bright spot for a team that had committed the endeavor to 1) developing whatever talent it had that had not already established itself, and 2) losing games for draft positioning. Two points there — the Jazz were, in fact, lousy, and Collier did develop. Just not his shooting accuracy, not from distance. When he put up a 3-point shot, he made fewer than one in four of them. But the point guard can pass, he does that first, averaging 6.6 assists. He’s bound to get better in that regard, and in his shot attempts, the Jazz hope, if he’s given the opportunity to do so.

17. Delaney Gibb. BYU’s freshman guard did more than make a name for herself in her first college hoops season, she caught the attention of every opposing coach and nearly every opposing player, being voted the Big 12’s freshman of the year. She was the league’s freshman of the week 10 times, averaging 17.4 points, a BYU freshman record. She led the Cougars in scoring in 19 of 30 games, and in assists in 17 games. Her future is beyond promising.

16. Spencer Fano. If quarterback is the most important position on the football field, the guy who keeps him safe isn’t far behind. That’s why this 6-foot-6 lineman from Timpview is so important to Kyle Whittingham and the Utes as they look to rebound from a rough 2024. Fano has all of the size and skills to be a first-round NFL draft pick a year from now.

15. Lindsey Vonn. The 40-year-old alpine skier who lives in Park City came out of retirement this past season, becoming the oldest woman in her sport to podium in a World Cup race, finishing second in a Super-G event. The list of her accomplishments in skiing is exhaustive, including World Cup championships and an Olympic gold medal. She hopes to be a part of the U.S. Olympic team next year in Italy before easing off into the sunset, although she’ll continue to be an advocate for female athletes and their sports.

14. Tony Finau. The kid who used to hit golf balls in his garage into a mattress hung on the wall because of financial limitations is now 35 years old, a PGA Tour veteran. It’s been a while since Finau has made a splash on tour, what with just one top 10 finish thus far in 2025, but the SLC native is still followed by golf fans here. Finau has earned just shy of $45 million in official money. No telling how much he’s made off the course. Not bad.

13. Richie Saunders. Everybody around here, BYU basketball fan or not, is familiar with the whole Tater Tot sensation. Saunders, who was named an All-Big 12 player this past season, advancing his talents from his sophomore to junior year in a major way, became something of a darling during the NCAA Tournament, leading the Cougars to the Sweet 16 for the first time since Jimmer Fredette did that in 2011. In the midst of averaging 16.5 points, Saunders signed an NIL deal with Ore-Ida, the company that came up with the Tater Tot in the 1950s, a potato product that was in part conjured by Saunders’ great-grandfather, F. Nephi Griggs. It got to the point where a Tater Tot truck circled the Marriott Center, and the Cougars ate, as a part of their dietary protocol, the food item that was discovered as it was first made from leftover potato scraps at the Ore-Ida plant. Saunders recently announced he will return to BYU for his senior season.

12. Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley (tied). Guenther just turned 22 and has a promising future for Utah Hockey Club, having scored 27 goals and totaling 33 assists in 2024-25. The RW has a lightning-quick shot, which makes him difficult to defend and fun to watch. He signed an eight-year deal with UHC in September. Cooley is 20 and scored 25 goals last season for Utah Hockey Club. He’s in line for a big contract this summer.

11. Devon Dampier. There’s a chance this ranking might be a bit low for the new Utah quarterback, given his multifaceted skills — running and throwing — and, on the other hand, arm or foot, it might be too high, considering he’s never played a down for the Utes, having made his name in the Mountain West with the New Mexico Lobos last season before transferring. Either way, the spotlight will burn bright and hot on Dampier. The Utes badly need a quarterback who can lift an offense that needs lifting. That could be enough to jolt Utah football back to doing what it usually does, what it’s expected to do — win a whole lot more than it loses.

10. Clayton Keller. Utah Hockey Club’s captain and leading scorer during the 2024-25 season, the RW got 30 goals and 60 assists. Keller is an NHL All-Star, at the age of 26 and at a mere 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds. He already has hit the 500-point milestone, reaching that mark against Winnipeg at the Delta Center in April.

9. Jordan Clarkson. Here’s an athlete who in the later stages of his career has more charisma than most at any stage, and even after a season that was shortened by a foot injury, Clarkson stayed connected to fans. They just plain like the dude. His jersey outsells every other Jazz player. And his usefulness would be boosted if he played for a decent team that favored winning over development and tanking. He averaged 16.2 points in 2024-25, playing in just 37 games. His Filipino heritage on his mother’s side has made him a basketball sensation in that country.

8. Karel Vejmelka. The Czech goaltender was a pleasant surprise in the Utah Hockey Club’s inaugural season here, allowing 2.58 goals with a save percentage of .904. He was rewarded for that effort in March with a five-year contract, meaning he’ll likely be around for a while. Good goaltending is highly valued in the NHL, making goalies if not stars, centerpieces for any emerging or established team.

7. Walker Kessler. One thing the 7-foot Jazz center has proved is that he’s a valuable piece of his team’s future — unless, of course, the Jazz get a better offer in trade from another outfit. But Kessler had a fine most recent season, scoring 11.1 points per game, hauling 12.2 rebounds, blocking 2.4 shots, and passing for 1.7 assists. He also made 66.3 percent of his own shots.

6. Jake Retzlaff. Plays the most important position in all of team sports for BYU football, the quarterback having led the Cougars to their stellar 11-2 season in 2024, establishing them as a legitimate presence in the Big 12. It is said — believe it if you want — that had Retzlaff been healthier toward the end of the season, BYU might have won all of its games.

5. Ally Sentnor. She is a big fish in what some might see as a smaller pond. The No. 1 pick in the college draft a year ago, she lights up highlight-reel goals for the Utah Royals. Sentnor’s without question the most talented player in the franchise, and one of the best female players on God’s soccer-ball-kicking planet. She attempts all kinds of wild stuff as either a forward or midfielder out on the pitch and is a gas to watch.

4. Mikhail Sergachev. The man’s won two Stanley Cups, is the top defenseman on the Utah Hockey Club, was traded to Utah and might have brought a negative vibe along with him, but did the opposite, helping the Club at least contend for a playoff spot this past season. He kills penalties effectively and is what amounts to an unofficial quiet captain on a team that needs his kind of leadership.

3. Diego Luna. Real Salt Lake’s best player is taking off on the world stage, a 21-year-old MLS All-Star who’s willing to take risks to create a double-shot of excitement and excellence on the pitch. Not intimidated by either his young age or diminutive size, Luna is a brave player who’s tough to get the ball away from. He won’t outrace anyone in open space, but he can out-quick folks in the penalty box. Moreover, the player has some splash and panache to him, hanging out at Coachella, and brought in by Disney for a promotion for its Star Wars series “Andor” on account of an actor in said series who shares his same name. Apparently, there was room for two Diego Lunas on that stage. He’s the face of RSL.

2. Lauri Markkanen. He’s the frontline player on the Jazz, an NBA All-Star who would continue to advance his game even more if the Jazz turned him loose in an authentic effort to … you know, actually win games. Although pleasant, Markkanen blows nobody away with an outgoing personality, but he’s simply one of the best, if not the absolute best, pro athlete around these parts.

1. AJ Dybantsa. OK, this young guy is the country’s top basketball prospect. He hasn’t played a single game for BYU yet, but when an athlete is projected by respected analysts to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, an athlete who has looked as skilled and determined and promising as Dybantsa has in the prep ranks, as well as in assorted elite camps, and created this kind of buzz, he gets the nod for the top spot here. He’ll either prove to be an outrageous disappointment or, more likely, show everyone what he’s capable of doing and being. However it turns out, all eyes will be and are on him.

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