Isaiah Collier learns on the job with Jazz in NBA summer league

Isaiah Collier took forward steps for the Jazz. Coaches liked how he played.

Isaiah Collier did not have a transformative and equation-changing NBA summer league with the Utah Jazz. He wasn’t the breakout star of this NBA summer. He also did not decrease his NBA stock. The general consensus is that Collier, the former USC Trojan, had a positive summer and grew in his knowledge and understanding of the pro game, particularly the speed of action and how he needs to work within that environment.

Collier is a longshot to be NBA Rookie of the Year, but his place within the larger pecking order of NBA rookies generally rose this summer. Jazz coaches feel that Collier took steps forward and played well over the past few weeks. He made his share of mistakes, but in a way which is natural for rookies. Collier did not look out of place or fundamentally unprepared for NBA basketball. He looked like he belonged on the court.

Jazz summer league coach Sean Sheldon talked more about Collier’s adjustment process and the need to understand how to use his body and take advantage of his athletic gifts.

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