It took longer than he had hoped, but Louis Amundson is officially an NBA player.

The 6-foot-9-inch former UNLV center on Tuesday signed a 10-day contract with the Utah Jazz, which has been shorthanded since All-Star forward Carlos Boozer suffered a hairline fracture in his left leg Jan. 27. Amundson had been playing for the Colorado 14ers of the NBA's Development League, averaging 10.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game.

Also on Tuesday, Amundson was named to play in the inaugural D-League All-Star Game on Feb. 17 at the NBA Jam Session at Mandalay Bay Convention Center. But players who are not on D-League rosters by Monday will not be eligible to play in the game, and Amundson's 10-day contract with Utah doesn't expire until Feb. 15.

So Amundson will instead focus on his stint with the Jazz.

"I'm going to do what I always do, play hard and bring some energy when I get in," Amundson said Tuesday from Salt Lake City. "It'll be real exciting for me. I'm glad I'm getting a chance."

Amundson appeared set to start the season in the NBA. He was turning heads in the Sacramento Kings' training camp, but they had too many guaranteed contracts and were forced to cut him.

He had offers to play overseas but chose the D-League instead, believing he would receive more exposure playing there than in Europe.

Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said the team has followed Amundson since college and that he fits in perfectly with what Utah does.

"He's gotten better since college, and with his athleticism and live body, he was someone we wanted," O'Connor said. "He's got an excellent work ethic, and he doesn't have to score the basketball to help the team, and (those were) two important elements in what we were looking for."

Lon Kruger, who coached Amundson his final two years at UNLV, said he thought it was just a matter of time before Amundson made an NBA roster.

"Every day, he came to work and got better," Kruger said. "With his work ethic and attitude, I absolutely believed he could play at the NBA level. He just needed an opportunity.

"I'm so happy for Lou. It's a great opportunity for him, and no one deserves it more."

Amundson is one of six D-League All-Star selections who are currently or were NBA call-ups, joining Renaldo Major (Washington), Will Conroy (Memphis), Dijon Thompson (Atlanta), Pops Mensah-Bonsu (Dallas) and James White (San Antonio).

"It's cool," Amundson said of making the D-League All-Star Game. "I really didn't think I would make it. But it's exciting to be recognized, and to have four guys from our team go makes it extra special."

The D-League All-Star Game will be played at the Jam Session's Center Court at 2 p.m. The game is sold out but will be televised live on NBA TV (Digital cable 318).