John Leone

Sportswriter and editor at the Daily Utah Chronicle - Contributor for @UteZone #GoUtes #FriarFaithful

[John Leone @_johnleone]

2,000 followers!!!

When I was making my goals for the 2026 calendar year, I wrote down 2,000 as the number I hoped to achieve by 2027. Never in a million years did I think it would happen in May.

As I was sitting in my Las Vegas hotel room following Utah's bowl victory, I thought that number was way too high. At the time, I had 288 followers and was determined to build a following. That feels like a long time ago now.

I've mentioned it before, but as an aspiring sports media personality, I recognize how much building a social media presence matters. None of this happens without the people who read my stuff, share it, argue with me about it, and keep coming back. I am so unbelievably grateful for every single one of you.

I know 2,000 might not seem like much of a milestone, but seeing others genuinely enjoy the content I produce — the recaps, the transfer portal breakdowns, player analyses — means more to me than I can really put into words. This is what I want to do with my life, and knowing there's an audience that's along for the ride makes all the late nights worth it.

I want to give a huge shoutout to the select people in the Utah athletics world who have led me in the right direction through this past year. I hope you all know who you are.

Here's to the next 2,000! I can't wait for another year of covering Utah athletics as the Sports Editor of the Daily Utah Chronicle. Thank you. Genuinely.

It is, and forever will be, Go Utes!

[Rising Ballers Network @RBNHoops]

Wright St transfer and Horizon League DPOY TJ Burch (@Thatstj__) is a high impact player.

Did a little bit of everything for Utah in a win over Oregon finishing with 11 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 5-10 FG in 18 minutes of play.

[Jon Rothstein @JonRothstein]

Three rules to live by:
1. Never acknowledge The Godfather: Part III.
2. Never waste calories on pizza outside of the Eastern Time Zone.
3. ALWAYS foul up three late.

[John Leone @_johnleone]

What a picture

[Utah Sports Scene @UtahSportsScene]

@UtahMBB @utahathletics Let’s all make an effort to pack the Huntsman Center this year. These guys need our support! GO UTES!

[John Leone @_johnleone]

"We feel capable of how great we can be, and we're nowhere near that."

- Alex Jensen

[John Leone @_johnleone]

"Happy to get the win, but we've got a long way to go collectively."

- Alex Jensen

[John Leone @_johnleone]

"Really good game for us. I think the exhibitions, especially with a new team are really good to go through."

- Alex Jensen

[John Leone @_johnleone]

Jackson Holcombe signing some autographs for fans after Utah’s win over Oregon.

[Utah Basketball @UtahMBB]

‼️ UTES WIN ‼️

[John Leone @_johnleone]

That was a very encouraging win for Utah basketball.

Oregon is projected by many metrics to be a tournament team.

[John Leone @_johnleone]

FINAL:

Utah 81
Oregon 77

What a game!!!

[John Leone @_johnleone]

Utes get a stop, and this one is all but over! Sensational performance for the Runnin' Utes tonight.

[John Leone @_johnleone]

Campbell misses the fron end of the 1-and-1 but the rebound gets tapped around and Utah retains possession. Taison Chatman will now have a 1-and-1 of his own.

[John Leone @_johnleone]

Trey Campbell at the line with a three-point Utah lead! Big 1-and-1 coming here with 28 seconds to play

[John Leone @_johnleone]

Malek Gomma!!!

[John Leone @_johnleone]

Malek Gomma’s putback layup puts Utah up 5 with 1:30 to play

[John Leone @_johnleone]

Looks like it’s going to be Oregon ball

[John Leone @_johnleone]

78-75 Utes. Oregon is challenging an out-of-bounds call with 2:51 to play here in OT.

[John Leone @_johnleone]

Electric factory

[Utah Basketball @UtahMBB]

The shot that sent us to OT 🎯

#GoUtes

[John Leone @_johnleone]

Trey Campbell now has 20 points on the night after hitting a three to give the Utes an overtime lead!