Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks has been dealing injuries for several years, and he's hoping to finally be healthy when training camp opens in the fall.

"It’s frustrating," Burks told the Deseret News. "My [latest] injury was way more serious than I thought. But I’m a soldier and I learned a lot about my body and the game of basketball during the time out."

Burks suffered a broken left fibula in late December of 2015, and that led to problems with his ankle and knee. The left knee was bad enough recently that he underwent a platelet-rich plasma injection a few weeks ago. Due to the injuries, Burks played in only 42 games this season and averaged just 6.7 points and 2.9 rebounds. In 2014-15 and 2015-16, Burks played in a combined 58 games.

"I knew coming into it, starting the season so late, I wasn’t going to get back to my old self," Burks said. "I played a little bit in January and February, but I was still dealing with things, coming back from being out so long. Towards the end, my leg wasn’t all the way right ... I was in pain."

Burks, who has two more years and $22.83 million remaining on his contract, believes he can once again play at a high level for the Jazz.

"I know I’m only 25, I’m young," Burks said. "I’ll get back to my old self. I’m not worried. It’s just taking more time that I thought when I first got hurt."

-- Nick Silva