#658 - Thurl Bailey - Utah Jazz Great Shares His Story How He Converted To Mormonism

With the NBA season just getting started, Jimmy sits down with Utah Jazz legend Thurl “Big T” Bailey for a wide-ranging, heartfelt conversation. Thurl looks back on being the No. 7 pick in 1983, falling in love with Utah and its fans, and the lessons his mom taught him about letting basketball open doors to serve the community. He also relives NC State’s iconic 1983 title run with Jimmy V—manifesting by “practicing” cutting down the nets, the game plan against Phi Slama Jama, and why leadership, belief, and defense still win.

The conversation turns deeply personal as Thurl shares his journey of faith and conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, meeting his wife, and how their love endured family pushback before ultimately bringing everyone together. They wrap with candid Jazz talk—young core optimism, what it takes for small-market contenders today, ideas to spice up the NBA (U.S. vs. World All-Star), and why Ryan Smith’s vision across Utah sports has Thurl genuinely excited.

00:00 Introduction
01:30 Thurl Bailey on joining the Utah Jazz and embracing Utah
06:30 The legendary NC State championship run with Jim Valvano
13:00 Thurl’s faith journey and conversion to the LDS Church
17:00 Love, family challenges, and lessons in forgiveness
22:00 Finding purpose beyond basketball and serving others
23:00 The future of the Utah Jazz and today’s NBA
31:49 Outro