Yet Maynor does emerge from college in much the same fashion as Williams, a USA Basketball Olympic point, in this regard: "He can run a team," O'Connor said.

"He seems to have a pretty good feel," Sloan added, "of finding people in open areas and knowing what you're doing in an offense."

Still, the selection was met by as many boos as cheers at a Jazz draft party in EnergySolutions Arena.

"It's what my wife wanted me to do," O'Connor joked when he filled in the crowd on Utah's plans.

But seriously, O'Connor said later, "I think if you look the success that Eric's had in his college career, you'll understand why we're happy to have him... He sees the floor well, and each year he got better."

Maynor called himself "a true point guard," and O'Connor said he's "probably more (NBA) ready than a lot of kids drafted before him."

The Jazz did have high hopes for landing University of North Carolina product Tyler Hansbrough, but those were dashed when Indiana picked the senior power forward from this year's NCAA champs at No. 13 overall.

O'Connor acknowledged the loss.

"Remember just a few years ago when we didn't get J.J. Redick and we got Ronnie Brewer?" O'Connor asked a draft-party crowd gathered at EnergySolutions Arena.

Along with Duke shooting guard Redick in 2006 and Georgetown center Roy Hibbert last year, Hansbrough joins a growing list of players the Jazz seem to have targeted, only to have them go before they got a chance to pick. Redick went to Orlando in the same draft that the Jazz took Brewer — now their starting shooting guard — from the University of Arkansas.

Another possible Jazz pick for this year, Wake Forest power forward James Johnson, went 16th to Chicago, and Wake point Jeff Teague, much-liked by the Jazz, went 17th to Atlanta in a point-strong draft.

University of Pittsburgh swingman Sam Young and Pitt power forward DeJuan Blair — each came to Utah for a workout — both were still on the board when the Jazz picked Maynor, who according to Sloan should fit in well on Utah's bench.

"He gives us the ability," the Jazz coach said, "to have a young player that maybe can come in and play behind Deron Williams and Ronnie Price, and hopefully make himself a better player."

Price will be an unrestricted free agent as of late Tuesday night, but the Jazz apparently plan to re-sign the Utah Valley product — and to not re-sign veteran and also soon-to-be free agent Brevin Knight, who was Williams' primary back last season.

"Ronnie probably didn't get the opportunities he needed last year, looking back on it," Sloan said.