Jazz player’s state

The answer to the crossword question “Jazz player’s state is UTAH” is simply UTAH. The clue is referring to the Utah Jazz, a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The team was founded in 1974 as the New Orleans Jazz, but moved to Utah in 1979, and has since become a beloved part of the state’s cultural identity. The team has had many talented players over the years, including Karl Malone, John Stockton, and Donovan Mitchell, and continues to be a mainstay in the NBA.