Portraits of potential draft picks for Jazz

For the past month or so, one NBA Draft prospect after another has tromped through Utah en route to a potential career in which they'll play some games, make many millions and perhaps never have to go on another job interview in their lives.

Each arrived with hopes high, cases to make and stories in tow.

With draft night finally having arrived — the Jazz select 14th overall tonight, their sights set on either a shooting guard or an athletic, shot-blocking center — there's no better time than the present to get to know some among the many who have a shot at soon making a home here:

Thabo Sefolosha played last season in Italy and prior to that in France, but his roots are elsewhere.

Sefolosha's mother, Christine, is a painter with works displayed throughout the world. His father, Pat, was lead singer and a saxophonist for the South African group Malopoets, whose "Life is for Living" album was recorded in 1985 for EMI.

Their interracial marriage chased the couple from South Africa back to Christine's native Switzerland, which is where the painter and the musician produced . . . Thabo, a Swiss National Team member who likely will become the country's first-ever NBA first-round draft choice.

"We're not really into sports in my family," said Sefolosha, a shooting guard/swingman who plays the drums and likes to hold a guitar as well. "But one day I went to play basketball with my brother because my neighbor told us to come."

How did his parents react to the ensuing career choice?

"Coming from Switzerland, it's different because not a lot of people make money off of sports — especially basketball," said Sefolosha, compared by some to Dallas' Josh Howard. "Really, they say school is the most important thing. But now that I'm here, they're happy for me."

The 6-foot-6 slasher has been working on draft boards since starting workouts in the United States, and at least one analyst — ESPN's Fran Frascilla, the ex-St. John's and New Mexico coach — said as recently as Tuesday that the 22-year-old could go as high as 14 tonight.

"I'm confident," said Sefolosha, who worked out for teams in the expansive 8-to-22 range. "I'm going to be first round, I think, so I feel pretty good right now."

After his recent arrest for alleged drunken driving and the revelation of a supposed bad back, Duke shooting guard J.J. Redick is not exactly in a position to be picky about which team takes him tonight.