Per an official press release, 12-year NBA veteran Ersan Ilyasova agreed to sign a contract with the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. The terms of the deal weren’t disclosed per team policy.
Ilyasova averaged 6.6 points and 4.8 rebounds in 15.7 minutes per game for the Milwaukee Bucks last season while shooting .466 from the field and .365 from 3-point range.
Though lacking in foot speed and agility, Ilyasova fits the Jazz’s mold of intelligent defenders and skilled shooters.
With the Jazz holding a league-leading 27-9 record, Ilyasova should be able to help Utah sustain their defensive prowess (108.2 defensive rating; fourth in the NBA); dominance on the boards (48.0 rebounds per game; second in the NBA) and their excellence from 3-point range (.398 percent shooting; third in the NBA) for the second half of 2020-21 the season.
His experience, which includes seven postseason berths and an Eastern Conference Finals appearance with the Bucks in 2019, is also sure to be a boon for a savvy squad looking to make a deep playoff run.
The 36th overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, Ilyasova will wear no. 77 for the Jazz.
