Utah Jazz Star Talks About His Rookie Season Going From Unknown Player To A Starting Role In The Playoffs

 

Guest Bio:

Royce O'Neale is an American professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association. He played college basketball for the University of Denver and Baylor University.

 

O'Neale, a small forward from Killeen, Texas, was recruited to the University of Denver out of Harker Heights High School. He played two seasons for the Pioneers before transferring to Baylor in 2013. Because he transferred to be closer to his family and ailing grandfather, the National Collegiate Athletic Association granted him a waiver to transfer rules, making him immediately eligible to play for the Bears instead of sitting out the customary year.

 

Following the close of his college career, O'Neale was not selected in the 2015 NBA draft. He played his first professional season in Germany for MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg, where he averaged 8.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. After playing for the Golden State Warriors' Summer League team in 2016, he signed with Spanish club Herbalife Gran Canaria for the 2016–17 season. On June 25, 2017, O'neale signed with Lithuanian club Žalgiris Kaunas. However, after playing for the Utah Jazz in the 2017 NBA Summer League he was signed to the team for the 2017–18 season due to the exception left in the contract with Žalgiris Kaunas. O'Neale made his NBA debut on October 21, 2017, playing a single minute in their 96–87 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder. On February 14, 2018, he scored a career-high 19 points in a home game against the Phoenix Suns.

 

 

Show Notes

 

• Introduction (2:38)

• What was it like when Royce found out he made the Utah Jazz (3:03)

• What was Royce like when he was little (3:28)

• The impact that Royce's mom had on his life (4:50)

• Going to Denver out of college (5:30)

• Transferring from Denver to Baylor to help his family during a tough time (6:03)

• How did Royce overcome not being drafted on draft day (7:11)

• Playing overseas before coming to Utah to play for the Jazz (8:05)

• Royce's thoughts on the state of Utah (11:15)

• What are the offseason and a day off like for Royce (13:00)

• Getting ready for the start of the season (14:17)

• Favorite players that Royce looked up to while growing up (14:50)