Point made: 2 impressive games against Jazz prompt Utah to ink Ronnie Price

Ronnie Price scored a career-high 16 points, including a memorable dunk over Utah Jazz power forward Carlos Boozer, on Nov. 22, 2006. The former Utah Valley State standout had 13 points and another crowd-freaking dunk the last time his Sacramento Kings played the Jazz, April 6.

Apparently that made more than a two-night impression on the Jazz, who expect to sign the 6-foot-2, 190-pound point guard to a multiyear contract after they get results of his physical today.

They agreed Thursday to contract terms, which were not released.

Price may be introduced to the Utah media in a press conference as early as today, said Jazz senior vice president of basketball operations Kevin O'Connor, who would not discuss anything about Price until he officially becomes a Jazzman due to NBA rules about talking about free agents.

O'Connor also would not disclose plans for restricted free-agent Jazz guard Dee Brown, who will now be one of four players whose primary positions are as points on the roster.

The Jazz gave Brown a qualifying offer July 1, which he did not sign, and they did not rescind it by Monday's deadline. Brown is free to entertain other offers, which the Jazz still have the right to match. Between now and Oct. 1, if they were to cut Brown loose, they could only do so via mutual agreement, probably a buyout.

The Jazz recently signed point guard Jason Hart, a free agent who last played with the Los Angeles Clippers, to a two-year $5 million deal, and, of course, they have rising superstar Deron Williams as the starting point.

Price is an undrafted 24-year-old who played two seasons for the Kings, averaging 2.9 career points, 0.7 career assists and 3.3 points and 0.8 assists last season.

The Kings had given the restricted free agent a qualifying offer earlier this month but rescinded it last Friday, making Price a free agent, which got the Jazz's attention.

Dick Hunsaker, Price's coach at UVSC, was pleased to hear he will play so near to the school. "I am very happy for Ronnie. It will be nice for all of the Utah Valley family to have him so close. It's a wonderful opportunity to play for the model organization of the NBA."

Hunsaker added in a prepared statement, "Coach (Jerry) Sloan and his staff are the best teachers in professional basketball ... Ronnie, with his work ethic and attitude, should be able to benefit."