From Deseret News archives:

Penn State product, South African get Jazz camp invites

Published: Saturday, Sept. 30, 2006 12:16 a.m. MDT
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Penn State product Tyler Smith, a 6-foot-8 forward, came recommended by former NBA star Rick Barry, whose camp he attended, and the Utah Jazz saw 7-2 Southwest Baptist/Oklahoma State product Frans Steyn work out but not participate in the Orlando NBA Pre-Draft camp in June.

Those two players, along with Rocky Mountain Revue Jazz teamers Brian Chase and Hiram Fuller, complete the team's training camp roster announced on Friday.

Utah players report for media day in Salt Lake City on Monday and then leave that afternoon for training camp in Boise, where the first practice will be held Tuesday at Boise State's Taco Bell Arena at 10 a.m.

The Jazz have 14 players considered on contract and can carry 15 during the regular season, though they would prefer 14 to give flexibility for potential trades. The additions Friday of Smith, Steyn, Fuller and Chase give them 18 for camp, two short of the allowed 20, a situation they also preferred.

The main roster includes the three 2006 draft picks — Ronnie Brewer, Dee Brown and Paul Millsap — plus early camp invitee Roger Powell Jr., a teammate of Brown and second-year point guard Deron Williams from the University of Illinois.

Two players were added via trades — veteran guard Derek Fisher from Golden State and rugged former BYU center Rafael Araujo from Toronto.

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Returning from last season's Jazz team that was 41-41 are Carlos Boozer, Jarron Collins, Gordan Giricek, Matt Harpring, Andrei Kirilenko, C.J. Miles, Mehmet Okur and Williams.

Steyn, of Pretoria, South Africa, where he played rugby, cricket and was a discus thrower in high school, showed a 28.5-inch vertical jump at the NBA pre-draft camp. He transferred from Oklahoma State to Southwest Baptist as a senior looking for more playing time, and his team finished 27-5. He was a starter in the NCAA Division II All-Star Game and was named the West team's most outstanding player. His last name is pronounced "Stain."

Smith, of Lake Forest, Ill., finished his career with Penn State in 2002 and has since played in China, Argentina, Uruguay, the Netherlands and Italy. He's known for his scrappy play, floor burns and being an all-Big 10 Academic.

Fuller, a 6-9 forward from Fresno State, was sent home after two Rocky Mountain Revue games for the Jazz due to blood-pressure problems, but Jazz senior vice president of basketball operations Kevin O'Connor said Fuller passed a physical Friday. Last fall, he was in the Washington Wizards' training camp and played in six preseason games, then spent the early season with the Florida Flame NBDL team, averaging 12 points and 9.1 rebounds. He finished up playing in France.

Chase, the 5-foot-9 guard from Virginia Tech (2003) who at times outplayed Jazz second-round draft pick Dee Brown in the Revue, has played some for the NBDL Roanoke Dazzle and spent time in the USBL, CBA and ABA.


E-mail: lham@desnews.com

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