Utah Jazz rookies hope to build on experience

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SALT LAKE CITY — It was not the year anyone associated with the Utah Jazz had hoped for.

Expectations were low to begin with, but the reality of a 25-57 season is hard on everyone, especially for NBA rookies who are trying to find their way in the difficult world of the NBA.

Trey Burke, Rudy Gobert, Ian Clark and first-year development coach Alex Jensen all enjoyed their first year in the league, despite losing so many games.

“They were new teammates coming in, and I didn’t hardly know anyone,” Burke remembers at the start of the season. “They’re like brothers to me now.”

It may have been lost during such a difficult season, but that chemistry developed among teammates should make the team stronger in the future.

“That’s the fun part about being on a team,” Jensen said. “You spend so much time together and you go through the highs and the lows together, so you get close to people fast and make lifelong friends.”

Results on the court also don’t show how much these young players improved, according to Jensen, who was in his first year as director of player development. He worked with all three players each day in practice and was impressed with how all three worked to get better.


They were new teammates coming in, and I didn't hardly know anyone. They're like brothers to me now.

–Trey Burke


“I think if they go back and watch and look, they are much better and different players than they were at the beginning of the season,” he said.

For the rookies and even Jensen, the most difficult transition to the NBA is managing such a grueling schedule.

“It comes at you fast,” said Jensen. “There are so many games whereas every place that I’ve played and coached and everywhere these guys have played you have a chance to catch your breath after a game and have a couple practices; 82 games is a lot of games, and it takes a lot of getting used to.”

Adversity for Burke started in summer league when his play in Orlando didn’t meet expectations. Then during a preseason game he broke a finger on his shooting hand. The injury required surgery and forced him to miss the first 12 games of the season. The team went 1-11 without him.

By the end of the season, Burke was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month three times and showed his potential as a point guard of the future for the franchise.

“It helped me out a lot,” Burke said about the things he learned while sitting out with the injury. “It just allowed me to go out there and just play. Through all the adversity, it helped me grow.”

Gobert not only had to make the adjustment to the NBA but also the transition to a new country and language. The native of France had no trouble getting comfortable in Utah, thanks to his teammates.

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“It was great for me,” Gobert said. “I came here by myself, and my teammates helped me a lot.”

Ian Clark was a star player in college at Belmont, but playing time was scarce as a rookie in the NBA. He stayed positive throughout the season and focused on getting better in practice.

“It was tough of course,” Clark said. “Everyone wants to put their best foot forward all the time and show what they can do. The only thing you can do is worry about what you can control. That was me getting the extra work in before practice and after practice, coming to practice ready to work and being ready when my name is called.”

Living in Utah was new for all three players. They didn’t know what to expect but after spending a year in the state they embraced its scenery and culture. Memphis native Clark fell in love with the mountains and took up hiking in his spare time.

“The fans really embraced us even through all the losing,” Burke said. “I like it a lot out here.”

More changes are in store for the franchise this offseason, starting with a new head coach followed by the draft and free agency. All three rookies hope to be back next year and be a part of what they believe is a bright future in Utah.

“It’s a group of young guys that want to get better, like, genuinely so,” Jensen said. “The hours especially these three guys spent in the gym was admirable. I think most days these guys came in early and stayed late, and you can see the improvement over the year. And they are nowhere near their potential, so they can only get better.”

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