NBA: Jazz sign free agent Jack Cooley

NBA notes • Cooley back in the U.S. after one season in Turkey.

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The Jazz continue to build their training camp roster, signing former Notre Dame forward Jack Cooley on Tuesday.

The 6-foot-9 Cooley averaged 13.1 points sand 10.1 rebounds a game during his final year in college. But rather than fight for a spot on an NBA roster through the D-League, he was lured overseas by an "unusually lucrative" deal and spent last season in Turkey. Cooley averaged 12.6 points and 6.9 boards a game for Trabzonspor of the Turkish Basketball League.

But after a season abroad, Cooley is back on American soil and fighting for his NBA future.

The Jazz seem to have plenty of depth at power forward, so Cooley's odds of making the roster this fall seem slim.But as with point guard Dee Bost, whom the Jazz also signed this week, the new hybrid affiliation with the D-League Idaho Stampede could be a landing spot and a chance to develop.

Veteran ref Bavetta retires after 39 years

NBA referee Dick Bavetta is retiring after a 39-year career in which he never missed an assignment.

Bavetta officiated a record 2,635 consecutive regular-season games after starting his NBA career on Dec. 2, 1975. He also worked 270 playoff games, including 27 in the NBA Finals.

NBA president Rod Thorn says Tuesday in a statement that the league is "grateful for his contributions to our league, and we wish him the best as he enjoys his well-earned retirement."

Bavetta, 74, also worked the 1992 Olympics, the first involving NBA players, and has officiated in leagues in New York and New Jersey. He is most proud of his streak, which last season surpassed even the 2,632 consecutive games played by baseball ironman Cal Ripken, Jr.

Drew joins Cavaliers as assistant coach

First-year Cavaliers coach David Blatt has hired former Milwaukee coach Larry Drew as one of his assistants.

Blatt will have Drew, Jim Boylan, Bret Brielmaier and James Posey on the bench with him along with Tyronn Lue, named an associate head coach in June.

Drew went 15-67 in his only season in Milwaukee. He was expected to get a second year but was fired so the Bucks could hire Jason Kidd. A former NBA player, Drew also coached Atlanta.