Dante Exum has begun the NBA Summer League brightly after being told by his team Utah to lift his game ahead of what looms as a make-or-break season.
Starting at point guard, the Australian had 18 points, shooting at 58 per cent, five assists and six rebounds in the Jazz's 87-74 loss to San Antonio on Monday to begin the pre-season Salt Lake City tournament.
Exum combined well with No.13 draft pick Donovan Mitchell, who top-scored for the Jazz with 23 points.
After competing for minutes with fellow point guards George Hill and Shelvin Mack last season, Exum's spot on the Jazz roster has been placed under further pressure by the trade for Ricky Rubio from Minnesota.
On returning from a year out with a knee injury, the 21-year-old Exum averaged 6.2 points in 2016-17, shooting 42.7 per cent from the field, before a quiet play-offs when he spent most of the time on the bench.
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He was told by the Jazz at the end of last season that he needs to improve.
"He's not the rookie anymore. He needs to be a leader," Jazz Summer League coach Alex Jensen said ahead of Monday's clash with the Spurs.
"He needs to be confident and control the team and just help the young guys.
"One thing I know coach (Quin) Snyder and all of us would like to see is him step out of his comfort zone.
"But that doesn't necessarily mean taking shots to get out of his comfort zone.
"I think it's talking, being vocal, like calling a play."
Meanwhile, this year's top Australian draft pick Jonah Bolden has played his first minutes in Philadelphia colours.
Forward Bolden played 21 minutes off the bench in the 76ers 89-88 loss to Boston, scoring nine points and recording four rebounds and four blocks.
"If we got the 'w' it would have been better. Personally, I think I did alright," Bolden told the club's website.
"My main thing was to come out and, like coaches and everyone preached, work hard.
"One of the things I wanted to show was my defensive versatility and my activity on the defensive end."
Bolden's teammate and countryman Ben Simmons did not play as he continues his recovery from a long-term foot injury, but the 76ers' 2017 No.1 draft pick Markelle Fultz impressed with 17 points.
