Utah Jazz: Boozer impressed after meeting Obama

BOISE — Depending on how the election in November goes, one Jazz player could have quite a connection with the White House.

One of Jazz All-Star forward Carlos Boozer's former teammates at Duke University is Barack Obama's personal assistant Reggie Love, a relationship that helped pave the way for Boozer to chat one-on-one recently with the Democratic Party's nominee for president.

"I had a chance to meet (Obama) in Miami about three weeks ago, and I had a talk with him for about 10 or 15 minutes," said Boozer, who — though he was raised in Alaska, the home of Republican Party candidate for vice president Sarah Palin — is a big Obama backer.

"He's so impressive," added Boozer, a two-time U.S. Olympian who won gold in China earlier this year with Team USA. "He (Obama) has this incredible aura about him. The way he talks, I want that guy leading my country."

Love, who attended Duke on a football scholarship, is constantly at Obama's side in his role as the Illinois senator's so-called "body man."

He also was a walk-on basketball player at Duke and a teammate with Boozer on the Blue Devils' 2001 NCAA title team.

Boozer, who opened training camp Tuesday at Boise State University along with the rest of the Jazz, makes his offseason home in Miami.

A DIFFERENT GAME: The Jazz moved up the would-be start times of their practice sessions Wednesday so several players, including Louisiana Tech product Paul Millsap, could attend Wednesday night's ESPN-televised college football game between Louisiana Tech and nationally ranked host Boise State.

Price for the privilege was some extra running for all who took part in Wednesday's morning session.

Asked Wednesday if he planned to go to the football game as well, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan — who's been battling a cold this week — indicated otherwise.

"Are you crazy?" he asked. "Footballs don't even bounce right. It goes every which way."

INJURY REPORT: Veteran Brevin Knight, who is battling Ronnie Price for the backup point guard spot, strained his lower back in the Jazz's second practice Wednesday and sat out the final portion of the session.

Free-agent guard Gerry McNamara has a sore jaw after striking his head on the floor in the same practice. X-rays and a CT Scan were performed on McNamara, and results of both were negative.

It was uncertain Wednesday night whether either Knight or McNamara would be able to practice this morning, Jazz spokesman Jonathan Rinehart said.

The Jazz acquired Knight in an offseason trade with the Los Angeles Clippers for journeyman Jason Hart, who last season lost his backup point guard position to Price.