Former BYU guard Kyle Collinsworth has seen his ups and downs during the start of his professional career as a member of the D-League’s Texas Legends.

After starting out the season as one of the team’s primary ball handlers, his role has changed with the additions of Pierre Jackson and Tony Wroten.

While his assist numbers have dropped since the pair of talented guards have come aboard, Collinsworth has still been contributing in other ways for Texas.

His return to Salt Lake City on Thursday night showed how he has grown in his new opportunity as he had one of his best games of the season.

In the Legends’ 114-90 win over the Stars, He totaled nine points on 4 for 6 shooting from the floor, including a make on his only 3-point attempt. He added a team-high 11 rebounds, including four on the offensive end while adding two assists, two steals and a block in 28 minutes off the bench.

The nine points tied for his second best scoring output of the season while the 66.7 percent shooting from the floor is a new career high for a game where he shot at least five times.

His rebounding numbers have shown that he has figured out a way to still make a significant impact even without the ball in his hands. Over the last three games, he is averaging 10.3 rebounds a night, including 4.3 on the offensive end.

That has bolstered his offensive rebounding average to 3.1 per game and into the top 10 in the league (of players who have played at least eight games).

He has also done a terrific job getting into passing lanes and getting steals where he ranks at No. 13 in the league with 1.9 a contest.

As for things Collinsworth is trying to work on, he said that outside shooting was a big emphasis.

That part of his game is a work in progress having made just 13.3 percent of his 3-point shots (2 of 15).

“It’s a process,” said Collinsworth. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint. I always have to tell myself that, just to stay patient and keep working hard. It’s a challenge and I’m embracing it each day.”

For the season, he is averaging 6.3 points on 42.3 percent shooting to go along with 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.9 steals.