Olivier Hanlan, Bryce Cotton fighting to remain in the NBA


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SALT LAKE CITY — Dante Exum wowed the crowd early at the point for the Utah Jazz.

But Olivier Hanlan and Bryce Cotton had their moments, too, in the Jazz's 100-82 summer league win Monday over the Boston Celtics at EnergySolutions Arena.

The Wonder from Down Under played aggressively, scoring 20 points and dishing out five assists as the other point guards looked on. Cotton then watched as the Aussie phenom went down with a left ankle sprain.

"He's a great player, but an even better person," Cotton said of Exum, who exited the court in the fourth quarter. "I just hope he's doing OK."

Cotton refused to mention any hint of ill will or even state that he could capitalize from Exum's injury. Remember, this is a guy who is fighting to stay in the NBA with a nonguaranteed contract.

Still, the pride of Providence refused to spill hate, even though the Jazz also drafted another point guard in Boston College alum Hanlan.

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"I'm just worried about doing all I can to be the best player I can be," Hanlan said. "I would say I was definitely a little nervous at first, but it all went away after a little bit."

The BC product said he needs to relax and not think about his career possibly being on the line.

"I've taken basketball as a job, even in college," Hanlan added. "If you don't win, the coach gets fired, and I learned that at BC."

The basketball process is always about fighting for a job. But maybe Exum, Hanlan and Cotton don't have to worry about fighting for a job as much — the trio played together for extended stretches of the game Monday.

"It's a bit more comfortable if we're running the offense, kind of controlling the game (that way)," Hanlan said.

Of course, starting point guard Trey Burke and potential newcomer Raul Neto may have something to say about that.

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