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Jazz waive former Wizards center Vernon Carey Jr.

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James Foglio
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James Foglio Sports Editor

James is a Basketball Insiders contributor. He earned his bachelor's degree in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. James enjoys watching sports and helping gamblers win money.

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Sports Editor

Updated28 Sep 2023

Utah Jazz waive former Washington Wizards center Vernon Carey Jr

The Utah Jazz are waiving 6-foot-9 center Vernon Carey Jr., who signed a non-guaranteed deal on Apr. 8. The Florida native was selected 32nd overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Duke.

Carey Jr. made four starts in 19 appearances of his rookie 2020-21 season with Charlotte. He averaged 2.4 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 6.1 minutes per game while shooting 50% from the floor and 81.8% at the foul line.

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In Charlotte’s 130-115 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Apr. 16, 2021, the third-year center scored a career-high 21 points in 35 minutes as a starter. Along with grabbing six boards, Carey Jr. shot 9-of-14 (64.3%) from the field and knocked down a 3-pointer.

Last February, the Hornets traded Carey Jr., Ish Smith, and a 2023 second-round draft pick to the Washington Wizards for Montrezl Harrell. Washington also received a trade exception.

Utah Jazz waive former Washington Wizards center Vernon Carey Jr., who signed a two-year, $2.1 million contract in April

Moreover, Vernon Carey Jr. made one start in only seven outings of the 2021-22 season. He averaged 2.9 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. The former Blue Devil also shot 53.8% from the floor and 46.2% at the free throw line.

In 11 games played off the bench with the Wizards in the 2022-23 season, the center averaged 1.0 rebound and 2.5 minutes per game. He scored a basket in wins against the Milwaukee Bucks (Jan. 1) and San Antonio Spurs (Jan. 30).


With the Capital City Go-Go, the Wizards’ G League affilite, Carey Jr. averaged career highs of 20.7 points and 27.6 minutes per game in the 2022-23 season. In addition to notching 8.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists per contest, he shot 61.9% from the field.

On Mar. 1, Carey Jr. was waived by the Wizards.

On Apr. 8, the center signed a two-year, $2.1 million contract with the Jazz.

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