Ochai Agbaji shining amidst Jazz injuries
While the Jazz are dealing with injuries to Jordan Clarkson and Lauri Markkanen, rookie Ochai Agbaji has been a bright spot in the starting lineup and fantasy mangers should consider rostering him down the stretch.
Video Transcript
- The Utah Jazz have been without starting guard, Jordan Clarkson, since March 7, two days after he suffered a finger injury on his left hand. Rookie Ochai Agbaji moved into the starting lineup a week before Clarkson's injury, but he's taken off since the bedridden guard was sidelined.
Over his last nine games, Agbaji is averaging 13.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.4 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 2.6 three-pointers in 31.5 minutes, shooting 42.3% from the field and 75% from the foul line. Included in that run was the best game of his rookie campaign, a March 20th win over the Spurs in which Agbaji established new career highs with 27 points and six three-pointers.
He would go on to score 20 points in a loss to the Kings five days later, and Agbaji is proving that he can provide 11th round per game value in nine cat formats over the last two weeks.
While Utah hasn't officially pulled the plug on the season, not having Clarkson or Lauri Markkanen on the court makes the job of fighting for a play-in tournament spot more difficult. While Walker Kessler has been the most notable young player on the Jazz roster this season, fantasy managers should not overlook Agbaji for the final weeks as he's only rostered in 16% of Yahoo leagues.
