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The Jazz liked the way Jeremy Evans played so much last season they brought free agent Trey Gilder into camp this year.
Standing 6-foot-9 and weighing 205 pounds, Gilder is an Evans-type small forward — long, lean, energetic and athletic.
"Oh man, he's a very active kid," coach Tyrone Corbin said. "He's athletic. He really lays it on the line, every minute he's on the floor."
Just like Evans, who became a fan favorite as a rookie with his high-flying style and low-key demeanor.
Corbin knows Gilder "has a slender body. But he can really get in there with the big guys, he can run the floor well and he has a tremendously great attitude. So I'm happy for the kid."
After spending last season in Australia, Gilder is happy to be in Utah.
"This organization welcomed me," he said. " … This is the only place I wanted to be because they wanted me here."
Gilder attended high school in Dallas, played at Northwestern (La.) State and got a two-game taste of the NBA with Memphis in 2009-10.
"I like to use my athleticism and do different things," Gilder said. "I try to stick my nose in there, play defense and get rebounds."
In the NBA Development League, Gilder played 95 games in two seasons for Colorado and Maine. He averaged 13.9 points; but he knows scoring isn't what Corbin wants from him.
"We have a lot of scorers," Gilder said. "So I'm playing hard, trying to stay active, trying to do the things I can control and trying to make the team."
The Jazz have 17 players on their roster, meaning two cuts are necessary and three or four are likely.
Gilder's first goal is survival.
His second goal?
"I'd like to get a roster spot and contribute — not just be a number on a team," he said. "Hopefully I can contribute sometime."
Scottie Reynolds cleared to play
Scottie Reynolds' wait is over.
The point guard from Villanova arrived in Utah last weekend, but he had been unable to participate in practice until FIBA cleared him, which happened Wednesday morning. A point guard from Villanova, Reynolds went to training camp last year with Phoenix.
He was slowed by an injury, however, and ended up playing in Italy, the D-League and the Philippines in an 11-month stretch.
"You see with what the NBA provides; I just feel blessed to have this opportunity," said Reynolds, who admitted his FIBA issues "left me a little behind as far as days on the court.
"But mentally, I've been there the whole time. So I feel pretty confident. I've been able to pick up the concepts and guys have been helping me a lot, especially Earl [Watson]."