Utah Jazz: Nigel Williams-Goss named MVP, Hayward’s surgery

Utah Jazz draftee Nigel Williams-Goss picked up some year-end hardware abroad. Also — an update on Gordon Hayward’s ongoing rehab.

While Utah Jazz fans have spent the year contemplating about Dante Exum‘s future with the team, another Jazz guard has been quietly boosting his profile in Europe. Nigel Williams-Goss, Utah’s selection at No. 55 in the 2017 NBA Draft, just completed a monster season in Serbia.

The former Gonzaga star was so good, in fact, that he picked up the Serbian KLS’ highest individual honor recently.

After leading KK Partizan NiS to the KLS semifinals and a Radivoj Korać Cup title, Williams-Goss is officially the KLS Super League MVP.

NWG appeared in 46 games between domestic, Adriatic League and cup play, averaging 17 points and seven assists per contest. He also knocked down 50 percent of his shots overall and 48 percent from 3-point range.

Whether that will translate to a better shot at landing an NBA job remains to be seen. Williams-Goss has decent size and length for a bench guard at 6-foot-4 with a 6-foot-7 ¼ wingspan. He’s also a vocal defender and a strong on-floor communicator. However, whether he can keep pace athletically remains in question.

Williams-Goss struggled mightily during summer league play last offseason. I would expect him to look to rectify that this summer. And the Jazz have retained his draft rights, so they would have first dibs if he can impress in that setting.

In any case, the work he’s done in Serbia can only help his cause. Say what you will about the level of competition, Williams-Goss looked dominant this season. Clearly, he’s been developing his skillset.

Along the way, he’s even put himself onto the radar of multiple Spanish ACB league squads. Namely, Valencia and Baskonia (per Sportando).

At the least, he’s made himself a player to watch in the year ahead.

Hayward has surgery

Finally, former Utah Jazz star Gordon Hayward continues to rehab after breaking his fibula in the Boston Celtics’ season opener. To that end, Hayward went under the knife again on Wednesday.

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Per an announcement from the Celtics, the 2017 All-Star underwent successful surgery to remove the plate and screws that were implanted following the injury. He’s scheduled to resume basketball activities in six to eight weeks, after which he’s expected to be ready for the start of training camp.

Hayward, 28, signed a four-year, $128 million contract with the Celtics last July.