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SALT LAKE CITY — As a Sacramento native, former Utah State guard Chris Smith didn’t grow up a Jazz fan. But in two years living and playing in Logan, he got to know the team pretty well.
So when the Jazz called him up for his first NBA workout, he jumped at the opportunity.
Smith was one of six potential NBA draft prospects to work out with the Jazz on Sunday, joining players like Wichita State’s Ron Baker and Cal’s Tyrone Wallace, among others.
But for Smith, he was happy to be close to “home” — or at least, the home he’s known since finishing his collegiate career in Logan following two seasons at Yuba College in California.
“It was a great experience. I’m just glad I finally get a workout so that I can show people what I can do,” said Smith, who averaged 15.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game as a senior in 2015-16. “I’m just trying to show that I can score in many ways. I’m trying to show people that I”m a good field player.”
Smith wasn’t the first Aggie to work out for the Jazz. Junior wing Jaylen Moore was among a group of underclassmen who spent time at the Zion’s Bank Basketball Center a few months ago before opting to remain in college for one more year.
The move helped Moore, a former Sky View High product, take advantage of new NCAA regulations that allow underclassmen to test the draft waters before formally deciding to stay in school — provided they don’t sign with an agent.
Smith, a third-team all-Mountain West honoree as a senior, believes his former teammate made a good decision in going back to school.
“He definitely has the talent to go (to the NBA), but I think another year will be beneficial to him so that everyone could see he’s a really good scorer,” Smith said of Moore, who averaged 15 points per game as a junior. “I feel like he can step up to the plate (next year) and get a lot more points.”
Scoring is something a lot of teams look to grab in the draft, at any position, and is one of Smith’s strongest aspects. A 46-percent 3-point shooter at Utah State, Smith’s perimeter game is the first thing to stand out, said Jazz vice president/director of player personnel Walt Perrin.
But he can do better, Perrin added.
“He’s a strong kid and got really high on his threes,” Perrin said, “and so I think he’s going to have to learn to conserve his energy on the NBA threes — not jump as high and get off quicker.
“But I thought he shot it pretty well.”
Baker was among the standouts at Sunday’s workout. The four-year Wichita State standout is familiar with Salt Lake City — the Shockers passed through town during the NCAA regional as a junior in 2014-15, and he lost at Utah in overtime as a senior.
But he doesn’t harbor in ill feelings towards the Utes or star center Jakob Poeltl, with whom he keeps in contact.
It was a great experience. I’m just glad I finally get a workout so that I can show people what I can do.
–former Utah State guard Chris Smith
“Jakob is a great kid and fun to be around,” Baker said. “Basketball-wise, you can count on him for anything.
“He’s going to be a very talented kid in the future. He’s a guy I’ll definitely keep in contact with.”
Smith’s NBA prospects are shaky; he’s not listed among most mock drafts options, but could be in the rotation as a summer league signing by July.
That suits him just fine — just like what the Jazz gave him, all he wants is a chance.
“I’m just hoping to get picked up on a summer league team and show people what I can do there,” he said. “I’m willing to work hard and do whatever I need to do.”
