Utah Jazz: Knight back on court, Jazz wrap up Boise camp

BOISE — Reserve point guard Brevin Knight returned to work this morning, when the Jazz broke training camp at Boise State University here with the last of seven sessions at the school's Taco Bell Arena.

Knight missed both sessions of two-a-day workouts Thursday, including an open-to-the-public scrimmage, because of a strained lower back sustained in Wednesday's second practice.

The veteran journeyman is battling Utah Valley State product Ronnie Price for the backup point job behind starter Deron Williams.

Absent again today was free-agent guard Gerry McNamara, who has a sore jaw and whiplash after hitting his head on the floor in Wednesday's second session.

The injuries, though, didn't do much to dampen what Jazz coach Jerry Sloan deemed to be a successful week in Boise.

"I think, for the most part, guys have worked really hard," Sloan said this morning. "They seem to be, all of 'em, in pretty good shape — probably, as a whole, as good a shape as I've had a team come in."

Sloan said the most-improved player in camp has been rookie big man Kosta Koufos, and used the Ohio State product's Rocky Mountain Revue performance as a basis of comparison.

"He's played pretty well for as young as he is, after seeing him in summer league," Sloan said of the 19-year-old. "He'll get embarrassed some, but I think he's worked hard. He seems to be a little bit more relaxed in what we're trying to do. That always helps."

The Jazz resume camp Saturday afternoon at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, where they will hold a free, open-to-the-public scrimmage that starts at 3:45 p.m.

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