VCU'S MAYNOR SELECTED BY UTAH JAZZ IN FIRST ROUND OF NBA DRAFT
NEW YORK, N.Y. ?
Since the first time he dribbled a basketball, Eric Maynor has been
chasing a dream. Thursday night, he finally caught it.
Maynor, a four-year
men’s basketball standout at Virginia Commonwealth University, became the
school’s first NBA Draftee in 16 years when Commissioner David Stern called his
name with the 20th pick, owned by the Utah Jazz.
“I can’t even
describe the feeling right now,” Maynor said. “I’ve worked my whole life to get
to this point and I have so many different emotions running through me right
now. It’s really a testament to more than just me; it’s my teammates, my
coaches, my friends and most importantly my family to be in the position I am
right now.”
Maynor is the first
player from the CAA to be selected in the draft since
Old Dominion’s Cal Bowdler was tabbed by the Atlanta Hawks with the 17th
overall pick in 1999. He is the third-highest CAA player ever drafted and the
fifth taken in the first round.
A two-time CAA Player
of the Year, Maynor is the first Ram in program history to be picked in the
first round of the NBA Draft. He is also the first VCU player to be drafted
since Sherron Mills, who was selected in the second round of the 1993
draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
“I’m excited about
the opportunity with the Jazz. Their winning tradition is a lot like VCU in
that they continue to be a factor in postseason play year-in and year-out,”
Maynor added. “Darren Williams is a great guard that I look forward to playing
with and learning from. Coach Sloan is a legendary type of coach that has
produced so many great teams. Add all of that to an incredible fan base and I’m
looking forward to having a lot of fun out there.”
Maynor is VCU’s
all-time leader in points (1,953) and assists (674). The Raeford, N.C., native
led the Rams to three straight CAA regular season titles, two CAA tournament
crowns and two NCAA Tournaments over his four years in Richmond.