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Posted: 2:28 PM- The Jazz's hunt for a third point guard took a surprising turn Thursday morning, when former Utah Valley star Ronnie Price agreed to sign a multiyear contract.

The addition of Price means popular second-year point Dee Brown will not return to Utah, although vice president of basketball operations Kevin O'Connor declined to comment on the situation until Price passes a physical.

Price averaged 24.3 points as a senior at Utah Valley. He was not drafted by an NBA team but spent the last two seasons in Sacramento after signing with the Kings as a free agent.

Last season, the 24-year-old Price averaged 3.5 points and just under one assist in limited playing time for Sacramento.

"He was a sensational athlete for us at Utah Valley and, after two years in the NBA, he's still a sensational athlete," said Dick Hunsaker, Price's college coach. "That's a dimension - an ingredient - the Jazz could be looking for."

Hunsaker called Price "a wonderful, wonderful kid" who could thrive under Jazz coach Jerry Sloan.

"His attitude, his worth ethic - whatever role coach Sloan cuts out for him, whatever role he's in - Ronnie will embrace it," Hunsaker said.

At the start of free agency on July 1, the Kings tendered a qualifying offer to Price. That meant they had the right to match any offer he received. But last week Sacramento rescinded the qualifying offer, allowing Price to walk away and sign with any team.

"Going to the Jazz is heaven-sent," Hunsaker said. "Coach Sloan and his staff are wonderful teachers - the best in the pro game, I think - and Ronnie is a learner. He wants to learn. He has a tremendous thirst that way. . . . We're all happy and excited for him down here."

Brown will likely be the odd man out in Utah.

Emerging star Deron Williams is the Jazz's starting point guard, and free agent Jason Hart signed a two-year, $5 million contract last week.

With the addition of Price, the Jazz seemingly made their decision about saying goodbye to Brown, who is a former second-round draft pick out of Illinois.

If the Jazz haven't already, they can now rescind an earlier qualifying offer made to Brown and send him on his way.