Maynor among best in CAA history

Eric Maynor and Brett Blizzard in the backcourt. David Robinson, Johnny Newman and George Evans in the frontcourt.

While you can debate the best starting five on the Colonial Athletic Association's Silver Anniversary men's basketball team that was released yesterday, that group certainly stands out.

Maynor, a point guard from Virginia Commonwealth University, was a two-time CAA player of the year and first-round NBA pick by the Utah Jazz this past summer. Blizzard, from UNC Wilmington, was a two-time player of the year and one of the league's best long-range shooters.

Robinson, from Woodbridge, was known as "The Admiral" after playing at Navy. In 1996, he was named one of the NBA's 50 greatest players. Newman, from the University of Richmond, played 17 seasons in the NBA. Evans, from George Mason, was a three-time CAA player of the year.

The 25-man team was picked by a panel of current and former CAA coaches.

VCU has two other selections on the team, Bernard Hopkins and Domonic Jones, who starred at Manchester High School. UR has Ken Atkinson and Curtis Blair.

The Rams joined the CAA in 1995. The Spiders left the CAA in 2001 to join the Atlantic 10.

The league became the CAA in 1985, after three seasons as the ECAC South. As part of its 25th anniversary, the conference is honoring anniversary teams in 21 sports.