"Two seasons ago, Jazz point guard Jamaal Tinsley and newcomer DeMarre Carroll were teammates in Memphis.

The players were reunited Thursday morning, when the Jazz practiced for the first time since Utah signed Carroll for the rest of the season.

"He's a hard-nosed player," Tinsley said. "Good guy. Good friend. Good teammate. He works hard. He listens. Like I said, he's a good player."

Carroll, a 6-foot-8 forward, also has fond memories of playing side by side with Tinsley.

"I call him my Big Vet," said Carroll, who laughed because both players arrived early for practice.

"In Memphis, we did the same thing."

Coach Tyrone Corbin spoke enthusiastically about the addition of Carroll.

"He's a good young hustle player who is finding his way in this league," Corbin said. "He had a great college career. ... He really works hard on both ends of the floor. A physical defensive player. He's going to add a lot of energy.""