Optimism reigns in Jazz, author of a convincing 2022/23 campaign, before aiming right during the offseason with good choices in the Draft then the arrival (free or almost) of John Collins from Atlanta. One of the (many) sources of satisfaction? Ochai Agbaji.
Arrived in Utah last September, as part of the exchange with the Cavaliers for Donovan Mitchell, the back trained in Kansas has indeed quickly asserted himself this season, his first in the league, as a “role player” precious in the Jazz rotation, in the shadow of headliners Jordan Clarkson or Lauri Markkanen.
Unsurprisingly, his club therefore expects him to confirm in the coming weeks, at the Summer League in Salk Lake City and then that of Las Vegas, his status as a young talent who is rising in Will Hardy’s ambitious training.
” It will be an opportunity for him to repeat his ranges again, and to build on what he has offered our team in the last 10 games of the season. “, declared the Jazz coach, who could even have said “the last 20 games of the season” as the 23-year-old rear was good over this period to complete his first NBA campaign (13.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game as a starter). ” He has become more important in our system, so we want him to capitalize on that this summer. »
A leader for the summer
Valuable additional player by his outside shooting with the first team, Ochai Agbaji logically occupies a more central place in the game of Jazz version Summer League. With his experience from his rookie season (but also from his four seasons in Kansas), he carries the ball more, and talks more.
” I took on a role of leader, but also of playmaker, of connector. I stay aggressive while trying to involve everyone “, adds the one who looks like a young veteran this summer for the rookies Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks and Brice Sensabaugh. ” I gained confidence this season, during the last twenty games, and that allows me to expand my role a bit this summer. And the idea is of course then to transpose the summer experience with the real team, at the start of the school year. »
Evan Bradds, who took care of his development in the Jazz staff this season and who trains the summer squad this month, appreciates his progress in any case, and confirms his qualities as a leader.
” He has the right aggressiveness. Sometimes, some young people confuse aggressiveness with haste, and start shooting all the time. Luckily for us, Ochai is more nuanced », concludes the technician. ” He is always aggressive, without falling into caricature and bad shots. He has my full confidence. »
| Ochai Agbaji | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2022-23 | UTH | 59 | 21 | 42.7 | 35.5 | 81.2 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 7.9 |
| Total | 59 | 21 | 42.7 | 35.5 | 81.2 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 7.9 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
