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SALT LAKE CITY - The all-time steals leader at BYU is working to take his game to the next level.
Jackson Emery was invited by the Utah Jazz to participate in a pre-draft workout on Tuesday.
"There's no summer league this year so for guys like me I need to take every opportunity that I can and do my best," Jackson said after the workout.
Playing in the NBA would be a dream come true but Emery is realistic about his future in professional basketball.
"I'm going to take every route possible to get to the NBA," he says. "If not then overseas is a good market. There is good leagues over there. Just do your best and things will happen whether it's now or a year from now you never know."
Related:
Cougar Tracks: Jax and the Jazz
BYU product Jackson Emery was one of four players to work out for the Utah Jazz on Tuesday morning, while his Cougar backcourt mate Jimmer Fredette opened his NBA team workout schedule in Indianapolis for the Pacers.Jackson knows what aspects of his game he needs to work on to make it to the next level.
"Ball handling," Jackson says. "As a 6'3" shooting guard you're a little undersized so they like you to be a mix of a shooting guard and point guard. I've worked extremely hard at improving my ball handling."
He also knows he needs to extend his shooting range.
"The three-point line is a little farther back. I guess it's Jimmer range right?", joked Emery.
Jackson wasn't the only local college basketball player at Tuesday's workout. The Jazz also invited Westminster guard Michael Stockton to participate in Tuesday's pre-draft workout.
"Whether this means anything going forward or not this is absolutely a dream come true to be able to put this logo on and play," said Michael.
Michael is the son of Jazz legend and hall of famer John Stockton. He averaged 18.2 points per game as a senior at Westminster college where he was an NAIA All-American. It was an honor for him to play in a gym where his father's name hangs on the wall.
"He's my idol on and off the court," Michael says of his father. "I'm just very fortunate to be in this position right now. Very lucky."
Email: jjensen@ksl.comTwitter: @JJSportsBeat
