NBA's Utah Jazz ditch former UCLA Bruins guard after three seasons

As a freshman with the Kentucky Wildcats, Johnny Juzang struggled. He was shooting 37.7% and went 14-for-43 beyond the arc. When UCLA head coach Mick Cronin brought the California native home, everything clicked.  

Two years later, Juzang signed with the Utah Jazz. He was released on waivers Tuesday at the beginning of the free agency period, after three years with the program.

Juzang started 18 games in Utah last season, averaging eight points in 20 minutes and shooting 38% from three. He’s a player who “will receive interest from teams,” per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

In two seasons as a Bruin, the guard started in 55 of 57 games played. He shot 43.6% in the paint and 35.6% on 3-pointers, while maintaining an 85.4% career free throw accuracy. Juzang averaged 15.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, but his most notable performance was in the 2020-21 NCAA Tournament.

The 6-foot-7 guard led UCLA from the First Four to the Final Four, where the Bruins ultimately fell 93-90 to Gonzaga. As a sophomore, Juzang was a force throughout the tournament, averaging 22.8 points and four rebounds per game. 

The Bruins made it to the Sweet Sixteen the following year, with Juzang averaging 12.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and two steals across three games. They lost 73-66 to UNC, who went on to the championship. 

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Despite his formidable March Madness performances, Juzang went undrafted in 2022 and joined the Jazz on a two-way contract. The guard started 23 of 102 games played in a Utah uniform, recording 7.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and one assist on average per game. His shooting has gotten more consistent, improving by 9.2% and 13.8% beyond the arc since his rookie year.   

With Utah’s recent acquisition of 2025 Draft No. 5 overall pick Ace Bailey, Juzang was a player the Jazz could stand to lose. However, it’s likely he’ll find a new place to land. Juzang is “one of the NBA’s more serviceable role players,” according to Sports Illustrated’s Greg Liodice.
 

“Even though he was waived by Utah, Juzang is going to fit in with a team looking for a shooter, and someone who can score when needed,” Liodice wrote. “While he isn’t going to be a starter on a championship-contending team, the need for players like Juzang is at a premium.”