Utah Jazz notebook: James Augustine working to earn a turn with team

MAITLAND, Fla. — Dee Brown played for the Jazz. Roger Powell Jr., too. Deron Williams still does.

Why shouldn't James Augustine take a turn? That's what the former University of Illinois center had to be thinking after debuting like he did Monday in the 2010 Orlando Pro Summer League.

Augustine merely led the Jazz in scoring with 20 points during an 85-83 loss to Charlotte, and did so while making nine of his 10 shots from the field, including a late-game dunk off a feed from Gordon Hayward and a nifty left-handed hook from the lane to pull Utah within two in the final minute.

"I want to show them that I can play," said Augustine, a 2006 second-round draft choice of the Orlando Magic with only 27 NBA games — all with the Magic — on his resume.

"I'm just trying to put myself in the best position, the best situation, to make the team," he added, "and I'm just going out there and trying to play my game."

After failing to stick in the NBA following his two seasons with the Magic, Augustine took his game to Spain.

He spent the past two seasons with Gran Canaria of the Spanish ACB league, focused the whole time on convincing not only others but also himself that he really can play at the highest level.

In the NBA, that is.

"That was pretty much my goal in Spain — to get my confidence up, do what I'm really capable of doing," the 26-year-old said. "I'm really hungry for it."

The 6-foot-10, 235-pound Augustine played for the Jazz last summer, and he chose to again this summer largely because he recognizes Utah's need for size in the low post.

The Jazz see Augustine, who is without a contract overseas for next season and hopes to be in an NBA fall camp, as a serviceable big man.

He certainly gave them a spark Monday, scoring 12 of his 20 points during a third quarter in which they made up 12 points on a 20-point halftime deficit.

"I like James. … That guy has been well-coached," Jazz assistant coach Scott Layden said. "He really plays hard, and he's got a good presence inside and great hands. He's a good competitor. He's a terrific player."

The Jazz's Illini ties make the match that much more intriguing.

Augustine, who was also a high school quarterback back in Illinois, had dinner in Chicago recently with Williams, Utah's All-Star point guard and his teammate when Illinois made its 2005 run to the NCAA title game.