Brice Sensabaugh shares where he stands with Utah Jazz front office, coaches

New Utah Jazz wing Brice Sensabaugh has only been a member of the team for only a few days. But the former Ohio State leading scorer has felt very welcomed by the Utah staff.

“So far it’s really been just kind of welcoming,” Sensabaugh said during his introductory press conference Monday. “I didn’t really have a workout so we’re kind of just getting up to speed on everything. It hasn’t been anything too specific yet. Just being welcomed. I have a dinner with coach in a couple of days. I’ll catch up with him and I’m sure we’ll go over some of that stuff, but nothing too specific so far.”

Sensabaugh was one of three first-round picks for the Jazz along with UCF forward Taylor Hendricks and Baylor guard Keyonte George. Hendricks was drafted with the No. 9 overall pick and George was the No. 16 pick.

A four-star recruit out of Orlando Lake Highland Prep, Sensabaugh averaged 16.3 points per game and 5.4 rebounds per game on the season. He shot 40.5% from beyond the arc and 83.0% from the free throw line.

While he was a star for the Buckeyes, Sensabaugh is likely set for a much different role this season as a role player off the bench. That is fine with the 6-foot-6 forward.

“I’m not too worried about it, as a young guy I’m just ready to come in and be a sponge and learn as much as I can as early as I can,” Sensabaugh said. “And whatever they ask me, I’m gonna do, and if my role expands so be it.”

Utah made a major roster decision Monday by acquiring John Collins from the Atlanta Hawks for Rudy Gay and a future second-round pick. Collins — who was born in Layton, Utah — was selected with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft out of Wake Forest.

He has started 313 of 364 games over the past six seasons for the Hawks, averaging 15.8 points and 8.0 rebounds on 55.1% shooting from the field. In his third year in the league, Collins averaged 21.6 points and 10.1 rebounds. Last season, Collins averaged 13.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in 30.0 minutes per game.

Collins will add to the forward group of the Jazz that is headlined by All-Star Lauri Markkanen and now features a more traditional wing in Sensabaugh and a big in Hendricks.