The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz alums: Jeremy Evans will be balling in Turkey next season

By Ryan Aston

CANTON, OH - MARCH 11: John Gillon #2, Jeremy Hollowell #33 and Jeremy Evans #22 of the Erie BayHawks react to a play against the Canton Charge on March 11, 2018 at Canton Memorial Civic Center in Canton, Ohio. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Allison Farrand/NBAE via Getty Images)
CANTON, OH - MARCH 11: John Gillon #2, Jeremy Hollowell #33 and Jeremy Evans #22 of the Erie BayHawks react to a play against the Canton Charge on March 11, 2018 at Canton Memorial Civic Center in Canton, Ohio. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Allison Farrand/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Former Utah Jazz forward and Slam Dunk champion Jeremy Evans has signed on the dotted line to play in the Turkish Basketball Super League.

When last we saw Jeremy Evans, the former Utah Jazz forward and 2012 Slam Dunk Contest Champion was helping Eberlein Drive advance to The Basketball Tournament’s championship game, where the squad came up short against Overseas Elite. Despite the loss, it was an almost magical turnaround for the one-time TBT cellar dweller.

For his next trick, the Jazzland favorite will look to make a splash in the Turkish Basketball Super League.

Per an announcement from the team last week, Evans has inked a deal with the Istanbul-based Darussafaka SK for the 2018-19 season. That’s the same club that 2018 Jazz summer league standout Stanton Kidd helped to a EuroCup title in April.

Although the signing could prove fruitful for both sides, it hasn’t come without controversy. Evans’ spot was previously slated for big man Cory Jefferson, who came to terms with Darussafaka in July. However, the team parted ways with Jefferson after he failed his physical this month. Within days, Evans was accepting an offer.

Jefferson’s agent, Mike Silverman, strongly decried the dismissal over the weekend. In an interview with Eurohoops, Silverman maintained that his client is healthy and ready to go.

Via Aris Barkas —

"“Cory has never failed a medical examination,” Silverman said. “During the past year, he was examined by Olimpia Milano, the Texas Legends for the NBA G-League, and the San Antonio Spurs for the NBA Summer League. He passed these exams with no medical concerns.”"

Jefferson was reportedly given a clean bill of health by an Italian team’s physician just days after his examination with Darussafaka.

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Regardless of the circumstances surrounding his signing, Evans will undoubtedly be a difference-maker in the frontcourt for his new side.

In 39 games with the G-League’s Erie Bayhawks last season, Evans put up 15.3 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per contest. He also shot 62 percent from the field and made a concerted effort to take his game beyond the 3-point line.

Of course, Evans is best known for his five-year run with the Jazz from 2010-15. He made 219 appearances over that span, averaging four points and three rebounds per game.

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