The Utah Jazz have made a significant move in securing their roster for the upcoming season by re-signing guard Johnny Juzang to a two-way contract. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, following the team’s policy of keeping contract details private.
Juzang, a Los Angeles-native, made his mark in the NBA last season after appearing in 18 games with the Utah Jazz. The 6-foot-6, 209-pound guard showcased his potential, contributing an average of 4.8 points and 2.2 rebounds in just 12.9 minutes per game. One of the standout moments during his debut season was a remarkable 21-point performance against the San Antonio Spurs on March 29.
During the same season, Juzang also participated in 17 games, starting eight, with the Utah Jazz’s G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars. His performance was nothing short of impressive, as he averaged 20.8 points on a 42.9 percent shooting from the field, along with 5.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 31.6 minutes per contest.
Building on this momentum, Juzang recently competed in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, where he continued to impress with his scoring ability. Over the course of six Summer League games, he maintained an impressive shooting percentage of 51.5% from beyond the arc, showcasing his prowess as a shooter.
The 22-year-old guard played a total of 85 career-collegiate games over three seasons, split between Kentucky (2019-20) and UCLA (2020-22). Throughout his college career, Juzang averaged 11.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 25.5 minutes per game.
Notably, Juzang’s impact was felt in the NCAA Tournament, where he averaged an impressive 19.3 points and 4.6 rebounds in nine career games. His contributions were instrumental in guiding UCLA to the Sweet 16 in 2022 and a remarkable Final Four appearance in 2021, marking the program’s first Final Four appearance since 2008. In the UCLA history books, Juzang has etched his name, ranking 10th on the all-time scoring list in the NCAA Tournament with an impressive 174 points.
Juzang’s stellar performance during the Summer League has earned him a two-way contract, signifying the Jazz’s confidence in his abilities. This contract enables him to split his time between the Utah Jazz and their G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars, allowing him to further hone his skills and gain valuable playing experience.
With the addition of Johnny Juzang, the Utah Jazz now have their three two-way contracts filled, joining undrafted rookie Joey Hauser from Michigan State (via Marquette) and 2021 undrafted free agent Micha Potter from Wisconsin.
As the Jazz gear up for the upcoming season, Juzang’s presence as the only guard on a two-way deal will be crucial, providing depth and versatility to the backcourt. The young guard has shown tremendous potential, and fans are eagerly looking forward to witnessing his growth and contributions in the upcoming NBA season.