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SALT LAKE CITY — "Congrats, you're going to the best state in the U.S."
That text was the welcome that Grayson Allen received from former Duke and Lone Peak High School point guard Frank Jackson after being drafted by the Utah Jazz. And while it wasn't the only message he received ("It's a very busy time," Allen said. "I was working on replying to a lot of people."), it stuck out to Allen as he prepares to move from his home in Jacksonville, Florida, to Salt Lake City.
Naturally, there are adaptations to be made; the weather is one of them. While Utahns felt the heat on Wednesday, Allen felt relief. "The heat feels great, especially coming from Florida where it feels a lot hotter than it is here," Allen said.
But Allen is most excited about the changes he faces on the court, for one, the improved spacing at the NBA level. When nearly everyone on the floor can hit the 3-point shot, it provides a different "geography" for Allen to roam.
"This year, I didn't get much stuff at the rim, much stuff at the free-throw line," Allen said, noting a senior season in which he took over 63 percent of his shots from beyond the arc. "I think I'll be able to drive more, and I still have a very good driving game that I showed earlier on at Duke."
Then there's the opportunity to play under Jazz coach Quin Snyder's tutelage. While Allen hopes that he'll recognize Snyder's terminology from his time at Duke, he knows that the Jazz play a unique style in the NBA.
"They play basketball the right way. They make the right pass, they pass up good shots for great shots, the ball doesn't stick in anyone's hands," Allen said. "I think I can do well in it."
The chance to play in Utah Jazz Summer League beginning next week could help him significantly. For many prospects, summer league is time to show they can swim in the NBA. If they sink, it's back to the summer grind without a chance to show off improvements until October. Summer league practices begin this weekend, and Allen's excited to get to work.
"I know the actions for the Jazz are going to be different. (I'll be) practicing my shots in their actions and knowing the reads," Allen said. "But I think I'll improve as a defender at this level. Ballhandling and playmaking has gotten better for me, but I've only really worked at it the last two years."
And in that quest to improve, one former on-court opponent has turned from foe to friend. As a Louisville guard, Donovan Mitchell played against Allen in two years of ACC battles, and it appears those matchups just became a lot more frequent.
"I have Donovan to go up against every day in practice. If I can just measure up against him each day in practice, that's great for me," Allen said.
Allen's debut will take place on Monday, July 2, at 7 p.m. at Vivint Arena. Not only will it be Allen's first time in a Jazz jersey, it will be his first time wearing No. 24, the number he'll wear for the Jazz after donning No. 3 at Duke. And unlike most first-round picks, his first game will be in his new home.
"I feel like I'm really going to love living here," Allen said.
Next week, he'll have his first chance to show Jazz fans why they should love him back.
