Orlando, Fla. • When Royce O’Neale signed with the Utah Jazz this summer, the last thing he expected was to play significant minutes in November.
But injuries, coupled with O’Neale’s play in practice, prompted Jazz coach Quin Snyder to turn to him in Friday night’s loss to the Brooklyn Nets as O’Neale played a career-high 21 minutes.
O’Neale scored four points on Friday and grabbed seven rebounds, tying for the team lead. He came up with two steals. His most visible play was a two-hand dunk in transition.