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Utah Jazz Notes: Hayward/Team USA, Favors, Ian Clark’s Deal

Ryan Aston|

Aug 1, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; USA Team Blue forward Gordon Hayward (24) dribbles the ball during the USA Basketball Showcase at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

You know you’re a hardcore Utah Jazz fan when you spend two hours watching blurry, pirated footage of a losing effort from the 1992 conference finals. We’re probably part of that special subset of people who need to find a hobby or something. Or so I’m told.

Alas, during the dog days of summer, the basketball void is a hard one to fill. For a team like the Jazz, who have elected to forego free agency in favor of internal growth, most of the action happens behind closed doors, in training rooms and at the gym. For fans awaiting the next piece of big news, this isn’t quite enough to satisfy.

Thankfully, there is some news to be digested, discussed and debated, headlined by our favorite hip-hop star turned leading scorer, G-Time.

Gordon Hayward to Attend USA Basketball Minicamp

According to reports, Gordon Hayward will be in attendance for the upcoming USA Basketball minicamp. Hayward will be joined there by his Jazz teammate Trey Burke, who received an invitation to participate earlier this month.

The camp will be held from August 11-13 in Las Vegas.

It will be interesting to see if Hayward can put himself in the mix for a spot on the 2016 Olympic Team. I’m still somewhat dumbfounded by Coach K’s decision to retain DeMar DeRozan over Hayward for the national team’s run in the FIBA World Cup last summer, but that’s probably why I’m not considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of the sport.

One thing is certain–it has become increasingly more to difficult for people to ignore the fact that Hayward is now one of the best wing players in the NBA.

Derrick Favors Gives Back

Derrick Favors has been a busy man this offseason. In addition to working on his game, attending the Utah Jazz Summer League and taking up painting, the big man recently held a Back to School Shopping Spree in his home state of Georgia–

It’s another in a long line of examples of Jazz players doing their part in the community. Education seems to be a particularly important issue for Favors. He previously held a back to school party for 30 youth from the Lied Boys & Girls Club in Salt Lake City.

I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that Favors is doing and saying all the right things this summer.

Ian Clark Signs with Golden State Warriors

Finally, former Jazz guard Ian Clark looks to be joining Stephen Curry and the NBA champion Golden State Warriors. Clark and the team reportedly agreed to terms on a contract on Monday.

The former Belmont star burst onto the scene two summers ago when he tore up the Las Vegas Summer League, earning MVP honors for his efforts. Clark never quite caught on with the Jazz, despite working hard to become an NBA player.

Clark also spent time with the Denver Nuggets last season.

His lack of size makes him a two-guard in a point-man’s body and a defensive liability. I like Clark a lot, but his point guard skills didn’t quite materialize as the team had hoped and his shooting mechanics have yet to translate to the professional game despite his ability to tickle the twine.

Hopefully Clark can become the player he wants to be and make a go of it in Golden State.

Next: Utah Jazz 2015 Summer League Grades

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