Even though the Jazz have opened the season with a record of 4-18, there is still plenty of exciting NBA basketball to follow for local hoops fans.  Other than watching the growth of a young Jazz squad, there are five local college basketball legends who are making their way through the NBA.  Some are having great success while others can’t get off the bench for their respective teams.

This is a look at how each local college star is playing so far on the young NBA season.

Andre Miller, Utah:  Miller is in his 14th year in the league and his third straight season with the Denver Nuggets.  Miller is a key piece to the Nuggets success coming off the bench.  Although he is averaging a career low 20.1 minutes a game, Miller is shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from three-point range.  So far this season, Miller has per-game averages of 6.4 points, 3.5 assists and 2.8 rebounds for the 12-8 Nuggets.

Andrew Bogut, Utah: after being injured most of the last two seasons, Bogut is finally healthy and playing big minutes as the starting center for the Golden State Warriors.  In 20 games this year, Bogut is playing 27.5 minutes a game and shooting what would be a career high 58.1 percent from the field. That doesn’t translate into a lot of scoring for Bogut though since the Warriors play from the outside in. Bogut averages 7.5 points a game on just 5.9 attempts.

He has been a huge force on the glass and on defense.  Bogut is grabbing 9.2 boards a game and blocking 1.7 shots for the 12-9 Warriors.

Jimmer Fredette, BYU: Fredette is in his third season with the Kings but has only played in six of Sacramento’s 18 games including five straight DNP’s.

In his six games, Fredette has averaged 12.2 minutes And has made 4-of-8 three-point attempts as well as both of his free throws.

Fredette has also grabbed ten rebounds, handed out ten assists and registered four steals in his limited minutes.

Brandon Davies, BYU: Davies is in his rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers and plays in just about every game.    He has played in 18 of the 76ers 21 games and averages 11.7 minutes a contest.

Davies doesn’t look to score very often and for good reason.  He has made just 14-of-41 field goal attempts and 11-of-17 free throws.

Davies gets his minutes because has been a solid rebounder and defender in limited minutes so far.

In his 18 games, Davies in averaging 2.2 points, two rebounds and .8 assists a game.

He had one of his better games of the season on Friday night as Davies registered four points on 2-of-3 shooting to go along with two rebounds, one assist and a blocked shot.

Damian Lillard, Weber State: Lillard has been the most productive local product since he got drafted with the sixth pick in the 2012 draft by the Portland Trailblazers.

After winning Rookie of the Year a season ago, Lillard has come back even better this year.  Lillard has started all 21 games for the 17-4 Blazers and is averaging 20.8 points a contest.  As part of his progression, Lillard has significantly improved his three-point and free throw shooting.  He is shooting 42.5 percent from distance and 91.2 percent from the charity stripe.

Lillard has also cut down on his turnovers by almost one a game from his rookie campaign while still being a solid distributor.  On the season he is averaging 5.7 assists as well as 3.8 rebounds for the Western Conference leading Trailblazers.

Lillard matched his season high in scoring on Saturday night with 32 points.  He shot 50 percent from the field, including 5-for-9 from three and made all nine of his free throws. He also handed out five assists with only one turnover in one of the few Portland losses on the season.