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SALT LAKE CITY — By almost any account, Tyler Haws’ career at BYU was a standout success.
In four years with the Cougars, Haws set a program record for scoring with 2,720 points, and he holds the BYU record with 48-straight made free throws in 2009-10. He earned Associated Press All-American honorable mention in 2015 as a senior, the same year he was named West Coast Conference Player of the Year.
Now he’s ready for the next challenge.
“It’s just the next thing,” Haws said Monday after working out in Salt Lake City with the Jazz. “I feel like I had a great college career, but I feel like I’m ready for this next step.”
The next step will likely include a full-time move to the two-guard, if Utah Jazz director of player personnel Walt Perrin is to be believed.
At 6-foot-5 and 195 pounds, Haws already runs the risk of being considered “small” for an NBA guard line. He needs to focus on guarding most NBA shooting guards, Perrin said. But that doesn’t mean he won’t bring anything to the table for an NBA franchise — the man can shoot, the Jazz executive said.
“I have no problems or concerns that he can make NBA threes,” Perrin said. “He shot a lot at BYU, so at our level, he should be able to do it also.”
Another oft-proclaimed downside to Haws is his age. The 24-year-old returned missionary played all four seasons at BYU, starring since his prep days with national power Lone Peak High.
There’s no reason to be concerned with his age, though, according to Perrin. And Haws said there were things he brings with more years that many other potential draft picks don’t have.
“A lot of guys will look at four-year college players as a negative. But I don’t think so,” Haws said. “I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything. I feel like I’m NBA-ready, mentally and physically. I’m confident I can play.”
Haws averaged 22.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game as a senior, when he set the BYU record for minutes played in his career. He ranked first in the nation in scoring in 2014-15, and by all accounts, his offensive game impressed the larger-than-average Jazz contingent at Monday’s workout.
“I think some teams will look at age. Some teams like look at size; he’s not very big for a two-guard or very long,” Perrin said of Haws. “But everyone will look at shooting, and if teams look at Tyler playing the two and guarding the two, then he’ll get an opportunity to play.”
Haws was known as a soft-spoken player at BYU, even as a senior. The contemplative sharpshooter tended toward letting his on-court demeanor and athleticism do his talking — though many NBA coaches and executives, including the Jazz, value a shooting guard who can verbally manage his teammates on the hardwood.
“He’s definitely mature. And this isn’t a knock on him, but Tyler is not a very vocal player; sometimes from the two-guard, you expect that,” Perrin said. “He was a little vocal, and helpful with his teammates. But one of Quin’s biggest things with our team is communication, and we are looking for that.”
None of the six players included in the Jazz’s Monday workout surprised the team or its personnel staff, including Brazil’s Lucas Dias Silva and Bosnia’s Nedim Buza, the least visible entering the day.
Having finished his practice with Utah, Phoenix and Dallas, Haws moves on to the L.A. Lakers on Wednesday and the Golden State Warriors on Friday. He also has offers to work out with the Brooklyn Nets and Memphis Grizzlies as he tries to find a home and a potential professional career.
Oh, and he’s also trying to plan a wedding to fiancee and former BYU gymnast Summer Raymond by July — and he expects the next several months to be hectic.
“It’s been good,” Haws said with a smile. “This is a crazy process, but I’m grateful to have the opportunity to come and work out for the Jazz. It’s a great organization and great guys.
“You don’t know where things are going to go. There are good days and bad days, and you have to just take it one day at a time, play to your strengths and play hard.”
