Utah Jazz send Fesenko back to Flash to give him more playing time

Just in time for its Showcase in Orem, the NBA Development League is getting one of its All-Star players back.

The Utah Jazz reassigned second-year big man Kyrylo Fesenko to its D-League affiliate, the Utah Flash, this morning. The 7-foot-1 Ukrainian center is expected to play tonight for the Flash against Anaheim.

"I told him to go play ..." Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "I'd just like to see him get in the game and play and see where he is where he'll have a chance to play some minutes."

Sloan didn't give a timeline for Fesenko's return to the NBA franchise, but he's definitely been more satisfied with Fesenko's effort and play lately.

"All of us have been pleased with the fact that he's been more consistent with what he's trying to do here in practice every day," Sloan said. "It's not just trying to get out of stuff. He's starting to take a grasp of the idea of working harder, and he's looked much better in practice because of it."

Fesenko hasn't played in the last two games, but he registered a career-first double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds against Yao Ming and Houston on Dec. 27. That big game came a night after he played well in a reserve role against Dallas, which came a few nights after he struggled in a rare start against Milwaukee.

That low point against the Bucks seemed to be a turning point for Fesenko, who left the Jazz's training facility this morning before the team began its workout.

"He's really worked hard here in practice. He's had a couple of outings in the game where he's played well when he was out there," Sloan said. "Hopefully, he has learned that work is going to give him a chance. Certainly you can look at that and see that because he's had more positive experiences here in practice."

Fesenko has averaged 2.7 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 8.3 minutes per game in the 10 games he's played in for the Jazz this season.

Morris Almond, another D-League All-Star in 2008, remains with the Jazz despite being put on the inactive list for Monday night's win over Golden State.

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E-mail: jody@desnews.com

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