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Jazz Rookie Isaiah Collier Shines in Devastating Loss

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Caleb Reed | Last updated Feb 8, 2025 12:40 AM ET

The Utah Jazz are currently in a rebuilding phase, meaning young players are being prioritized in the rotation. While the roster is filled with young talent, one of the most interesting is rookie Isaiah Collier.

Coming out of high school, he was the top-ranked player in the country and was set to join the USC Trojans alongside Bronny James. While his freshman season didn’t go as planned, Collier still proved to NBA teams that he had star upside and was taken No. 29 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. This could end up being a steal for the Jazz, which proved true on Friday night against the Phoenix Suns.

To cap off a performance that boasted a double-double stat line, including 15 points and 13 assists, the rookie played a key role. He even knocked down a huge clutch shot towards the end of regulation, though the Suns ultimately made a miraculous comeback to force overtime.

BIG BUCKET ROOK ❤️‍ pic.twitter.com/aTwMCyX6TA
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 8, 2025

While Collier’s shot initially looked like a game-sealing bucket, the Jazz fell to Phoenix in OT. Even then, it wasn’t a wasted performance and showcased just how much upside the rookie guard has.

When Utah gets back into the playoff race in a few years, expect Collier to be a core member of the team. He has the potential to be a top-three player on a championship team one day.

Down the stretch of the season, expect Collier to continue getting more comfortable playing a primary role. With the ability to play lead guard and run the offense, these reps will be valuable.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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