THE Utah Jazz The Purple Sox will enter the brand new season with six gamers chosen within the final two years. Gamers like Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks and Cody Williams will get many of the consideration, however one undrafted participant who may very well be a part of Salt Lake Metropolis’s future is flying below the radar.
Third-year Jazzman Johny Juzang was one of many few brilliant spots final season for a franchise nonetheless trying to find an id. Juzang averaged 11.8 factors and a couple of.3 rebounds in his last six video games of the season whereas capturing 59.3 % from lengthy vary. It is a small pattern dimension, however it was sufficient for Utah to signal Juzang to a four-year, $11.425 million contract this offseason.
Though Juzang would not have the identical potential as a few of his teammates, he does entice the eye of some media shops. The Bleacher Report Juzang is taken into account one among seven G-League prospects poised to hitch the NBA.
“Johnny Juzang seemed like a professional with the Utah Jazz late final season, after averaging 20.5 factors in 34 video games for the Salt Lake Metropolis Stars.”
“He shot 41.6 % from three-point vary in 20 NBA appearances, and there is no doubt the 23-year-old’s largest asset is his shot-making potential. He shot 45.6 % on his catch-and-shoot alternatives, in keeping with Sports activities Synergy.”
“Juzang additionally scored 57.6 % of his two-pointers. He capitalized in transition and off the ball, displaying good capturing sense, good contact within the lane and good timing on his cuts.”
“Utah has probably higher-priority prospects to develop, together with 2024 lottery choose Cody Williams and former first-round choose Brice Sensabaugh. However Juzang made a compelling case for his G League minutes and 372 NBA minutes..” – Jonathan Wasserman
Juzang went undrafted within the 2022 NBA draft and spent two years as a professional in Salt Lake Metropolis. The final two seasons had been spent on two-way contracts with Utah, however this time, Juzang lands a long-term deal that runs by means of the 2027-28 season.
Juzang bought his NBA break final season after the commerce deadline, when Simone Fontecchio and Ochai Agbaji had been traded. In his greatest recreation of the season, Juzang scored 27 factors on 7-of-8 capturing from lengthy vary towards the Golden State Warriors.
Juzang could have discovered his area of interest within the league as a participant who can shoot three-pointers. If he can proceed to shoot 40 % from lengthy vary, Jazz followers can count on him to be round for some time. Nonetheless, the Jazz solely assured the primary yr of his contract, and Juzang must proceed producing if he desires to make it previous yr one.
Juzang’s downside going ahead shall be discovering a method to get constant minutes on the court docket. He’ll be competing head-to-head with gamers Utah is extra invested in, like Williams and Sensabaugh. An harm or commerce may change that outlook, however the place it stands at this time is that Juzang is the second guard off the bench behind Jordan Clarkson. Collin Sexton is anticipated to begin.
Regardless of the unsure path to enjoying time, the Jazz appear to love what they’ve seen to this point, and we are able to count on to see extra of Juzang than in earlier seasons. Juzang’s first likelihood to indicate he belongs will come towards the New Zealand Breakers in Utah’s preseason opener on Oct. 4.
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