Maynor: First-round selection a ‘dream come true’

Eric Maynor made a whirlwind trip to Salt Lake City Tuesday and Wednesday for a 30-minute interview with the brass of the Utah Jazz.

So he wasn't surprised when NBA Commissioner David Stern called his name when Utah's turn came with the 20th pick in the first round of last night's draft.

"I had a great feeling about Utah at 20," Maynor said via phone. "I had everybody telling me I'd go here, I'd go there."

Maynor, who became the first Virginia Commonwealth University player to be taken in the first round -- Sherron Mills (29th pick in 1993), Calvin Duncan (30th pick in 1985) and Jesse Dark (32nd pick in 1974) were picked in the second round -- did not go to New York for the draft. He watched instead from his home in Raeford, N.C.

"I'm trying to celebrate with my family right now," said Maynor, after the din quieted just a little. "My mom started crying. My brother set me up a little green room. Everybody's here. This is a dream come true for me."

Maynor, a 6-2½ point guard, is VCU's all-time leader in scoring and assists. The two-time Colonial Athletic Association player of the year joins a club that is seeking a consistent backup for its star point guard, Deron Williams. NBA teams liked Maynor for his maturity, court vision, ability to run a team and his high basketball IQ.

"I think he's closer to playing than a lot of players," said Utah General Manager Kevin O'Connor, who was greeted with cheers and a few boos when the pick was announced at EnergySolutions Arena. "He's paid his dues in college and certainly been successful, and I think he'll have an opportunity to do that.

"I think if you look at the success that Eric has had in his college career, you'll understand why we are happy to have him. I think he's a legitimate point guard. He's got good size . . . he sees the floor well and each year he got better.

"And, you know, he dominated the conference that he was in, and I think when you saw him step up on the big stage against Duke as a sophomore . . . you look at his numbers against them and certainly against UCLA . . . he's proven himself on the big stage."

Williams, 25, averaged 20.2 points and 10.8 assists last season. But Maynor said he's not daunted by the situation of backing up a young, established point guard.

"They've got a great point guard in Deron Williams," said Maynor, the fifth CAA player to be drafted in the first round. "To be able to go in there and learn from a guy like that I think is going to be great for me.

"Like I told everybody, it didn't matter to me if I went 30th, as long as I landed in the right situation."

Williams has averaged 37 minutes the past three seasons. Some point guards in the draft declined to work out for the Jazz, The Salt Lake Tribune reported, apparently because of Williams' presence. Maynor missed a planned workout with Utah this past weekend because of back spasms but said last night it was not an issue.

He did go for the interview.

"I don't know if he'll be NBA ready," Utah coach Jerry Sloan said, noting that Maynor needs to get in the weight room.

"You know, there's a few point guards that come in and play right away. He probably will suffer a little bit here playing behind Deron Williams, getting a chance to play, because Deron's going to play most of the minutes."