Utah Jazz invite 2 swingmen to training camp

With Matt Harpring's status unknown for next season, the Utah Jazz have invited at least two swingmen to participate in their fall camp.

And one of them might have a built-in fan club in Utah.

Syracuse's Paul Harris and Marquette's Wesley Matthews will attend Jazz camp in a couple of weeks, according to the Buffalo News.

Harris shares something in common with the Laydens.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound swingman grew up in Niagara Falls, N.Y., and then played three seasons at Syracuse. He averaged 12.0 points on 49.4 percent shooting and 8.1 rebounds last year as a junior.

Frank Layden, the retired president, general manager and coach of the Jazz, is from western New York and played and coached at Niagara University. His son, Scott Layden, also grew up in upstate New York and is currently one of Jerry Sloan's assistants.

Harris had a career-night against Connecticut on March 12, when he led the Orange to a 127-117 Big East win by scoring 29 points and hauling in 22 rebounds.

He left Syracuse after his junior season but was not drafted this past June.

Matthews averaged 18.3 points and 5.7 rebounds his senior season for the Golden Eagles. He hit 36.8 percent from 3-point land and scored 20-plus in 16 games. Utah hoops fans might remember him from his game against Utah State. He only scored 11 points on 3-for-16 shooting, but Marquette edged the Aggies 58-57 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Boise.

Harris and Matthews could have a shot at earning a roster spot, seeing as it is possible Matt Harpring might not play this season. The 11-year NBA veteran, who's resting in hopes of healing from ankle and knee injuries, will meet with Jazz officials next week to begin mapping out his future with the franchise. Harpring has one year left on his contract — and is set to be paid $6.5 million.

Jazz camp begins the final weekend of September, likely on Sept. 26, which is unusually early but necessary because Utah hosts its first preseason game against Denver on Oct. 1.

e-mail: jody@desnews.com