SALT LAKE CITY (ABC-4 Sports) - The Utah Jazz selected Virginia Commonwealth University point guard Eric Maynor with the 20th overall pick in the NBA Draft. They then selected Michigan State center Goran Suton with the 50th overall pick.
Maynor, a 6-3, 175-pound pure point guard, averaged 22.4 points and 6.2 assists during his senior season at VCU and was named the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year. Maynor led the Rams to two NCAA Tournament appearances, including a first round shocker over Duke in 2007.
Maynor concluded his four-year collegiate career as VCU’s all-time leader in points (1,953) and assists (674). VCU retired Maynor’s No. 3 during his final home game as a VCU Ram. The native of Raeford, N.C., attended Westover High School and led the Wolverines to the state championship game as a senior.
Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor praised Maynor's ability to not only find the open man, but also his uncanny knack for scoring as the shot clock winds down. He also like the fact that each season at VCU, Maynor got better. Maynor will also be able to learn from one of the best point guards in the NBA in Deron Williams. However, Jerry Sloan said the first thing Maynor needs to do is get bigger by working out in the weight room.
Suton, a 6-10, 245-pound center from Bosnia, also played four years of college basketball. He averaged 10.4 points and 8.4 rebounds during his senior season at Michigan State. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Midwest Regional in the NCAA Tournament this past season, helping the sparta ns reach the national title game against North Carolina. Suton is considered to be a solid rebounder and an above average passer.
