Utah Jazz select VCU guard Maynor with pick No. 20
Beyond about 10 players they figured for sure would be gone, the Jazz had no idea who would be there — and more importantly which among them would be highest on their board — when they picked at No. 20 in the first round of Thursday night's NBA Draft.
But the franchise's consensus guess earlier Thursday, general manager Kevin O'Connor said after making the pick, was Virginia Commonwealth University senior point Eric Maynor.
And they were right.
So the Jazz went with Maynor, a 22-year-old who apparently will fill a reserve role along with last season's No. 3 point, Ronnie Price, behind starter Deron Williams.
Utah also took 6-foot-10 Bosnian center Goran Suton of Michigan State at No. 50 in the second round.
"We're really happy (Maynor) was there (at 20)," O'Connor said, "because I think it gives us somebody you can put the ball in the hands of."
The Raeford, N.C., native averaged 22.4 points and 6.2 assists per game last season, when he was a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award presented to the University of North Carolina's Ty Lawson as the nation's top collegiate point guard.
"I'm coming in there to work, man — doing whatever the team needs me to do," said Maynor, who was mid-major Colonial Athletic Association's two-time Player of the Year — and who left VCU, which has never before produced a first-round NBA pick, as its all-time leader in scoring (1,953 points), assists (674), free throws made (503) and games played (130).
"Deron Williams is one of the best guards in the NBA," added Maynor, who also had a 21-point, seven assist performance in an NCAA tournament game this year against UCLA and who hit the game-winning 15-foot jumper with 1.8 seconds in a first-round NCAA tourney upset victory over Duke during his sophomore season. "For me to come in there and learn from a guy like that, I figure it will be great for me."
Maynor is the point who had to cancel a workout scheduled for last Saturday because of back spasms, but whom the Jazz quietly brought into town Wednesday for an interview with franchise officials.
Now he's glad he came.
"I knew I needed to have a spot where I knew I wasn't going to go past," he said, "and Utah's a great place... So I just told my agent I'm willing to fly wherever, (because) we're talking about my future right now."
Long-distance shooting is not Maynor's forte.
And at 6-2 (without shoes, 6-3 with) and 164 pounds, the guard who O'Connor said needs "to get stronger" yields about 50 pounds to the similarly tall Williams.
"I think he needs to work on his body, No. 1," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "Get in the weight room, work on his body."
Recent comments
Eric Moutsos said: Do the jazz really need another guard??? really...
Eric Moutsos | Aug. 12, 2009 at 7:31 p.m.
Eric Moutsos said: Anyone think a center would be the best idea for...
Eric Moutsos | Aug. 3, 2009 at 9:10 p.m.
Eric Moutsos Says: Jazz need a center.... until then... everything...
Eric Moutsos | Aug. 2, 2009 at 3:37 p.m.
- TCU still has a chance 2:04 a.m.
- Unranked Orange move to 4-0 1:52 a.m.
- 3A: Juan Diego 12, Hurricane 10 1:51 a.m.
- Cougars cruise to victory in Hawaii 1:38 a.m.
- 5A: Bingham vs Davis 1:32 a.m.
- 5A: Bingham 35, Davis 24 1:30 a.m.
- 5A: Darts impress in title loss 1:13 a.m.
- 5A: Miners' Cantwell makes name 1:11 a.m.
- Can BYU throw vs. Air Force? 1:10 a.m.
- 4A: Timpview defense stepped up 1:09 a.m.
- Mailman's nomination delivered
- Jazz finally win in San Antonio
- U. professor dies after fall from bus
- 'New Moon' rising: Vamps vs. 'wolves
- 4A: Timpview wins 4th in 4 years
- Archuleta still calls Utah home
- Horrifying scenario described
- Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
- Unga's status 'a game-time decision'
- 'New Moon' doesn't rise to occasion
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
182 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
167 - BYU, Utah struck gold in coaches
123 - Lies shatter Utah family
122 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
105 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
96 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
95 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
94 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
92 - Huntsman pleased with Obama
84
Real Salt Lake fans have watched first hand the evolution of Jason Kreis...
Ask just women of childbearing age do they want to decide their reproductive...
On behalf of the millions of people worldwide who worship the devine and...
That happened approximately 9 years ago.
For being a terrible program, Bronco still has one more win than Kyle...go...
wow, that was a game. #56 for Hurricane seemed to be in on almost every...
That was the most amazing drive and play I have ever seen in high school...
for stepping up and doing the right thing in challenging portions of the...
A majority of us are apposed to abortion, but we are in even greater...
"Speed kills. Speed beats size everytime. " haha, everytime eh? If that...
Air Force 35 BYU 21

