Utah Jazz notebook: Former USU star Jared Quayle hopes exposure helps

SALT LAKE CITY — Earning a roster spot on an NBA team would be an awesome accomplishment for Jared Quayle.

The former Box Elder High and Utah State standout would especially be thrilled to join the Utah Jazz.

"It feels nice," Quayle said of wearing Jazz gear following his Wednesday morning workout for Utah brass. "It'd be nice if I could keep it on for another 10 years."

That, however, isn't the primary goal right now for the 25-year-old point guard. Quayle's sights are set high, but he'd be ecstatic to work his way onto the roster of an NBA squad even if it's only for July.

"Playing on a summer league team would be huge," Quayle said. "Just (to) get a lot more exposure."

Wednesday's workout with the Jazz was Quayle's first, though he's hoping to set up a couple more with NBA teams before the June 24 draft. Realistically, he realizes workouts and possible summer-league participation would mostly help his professional cause elsewhere.

The 6-foot-1 playmaker, who ranks as one of USU's all-time great 3-point and free-throw shooters, wants to get as much "exposure from European teams" as possible.

"That's most likely my route right now is just going overseas," Quayle admitted. "Try to go over there and develop a little bit more and hopefully come back here and play in the NBA someday."

Quayle, who isn't projected to be drafted into the NBA, trains daily with former USU star Gary Wilkinson, another former Aggie who spent time in the summer with the Jazz. Jaycee Carroll and Spencer Nelson have also participated with the Jazz in offseason workouts — something the NBA franchise often does with local college standouts.

To Quayle's credit, he impressed the Jazz's chief scout, Walt Perrin.

"We felt he deserved to be brought in," the Jazz's vice president of player personnel said, "because he's had a great career at Utah State and he performed very well there."

Added Perrin: "I was impressed with how quick and how fast he was, how tough he is."

Quayle felt like he held his own against the other five workout invitees, a group that included California guard Jerome Randle, Kentucky forward Patrick Patterson, Georgia Tech forward Gani Lawal, VCU forward Larry Sanders and forward Ryan Richards of England.

"Honestly," he said, "I feel like I could play with them. … I feel like I competed today and I did pretty well."