SALT LAKE CITY — With only a little over a week before the NBA draft, we take a look back at some of the greatest draft picks in Utah Jazz history. Going through more than forty years of Jazz drafts, five picks stood out above the rest. Two are obvious, one was a late-round gem, and two are more recent Jazz All-Stars.

Here are the honorable mentions:

• Darrell Griffith, selected second overall in the 1980 draft, played ten seasons with the Jazz, won Rookie of the Year (the only Jazz player to win the award) and averaged 16.2 ppg.
• Paul Millsap, selected in the second round (47th overall) in the 2006 draft, played seven seasons with the Jazz, made the All-Rookie second team and averaged 12.4 ppg and 7.0 reb in Utah. Millsap will be a free agent this offseason.
• Bryon Russell, selected in the second round (48th overall) in the 1993 draft, played nine seasons with the Jazz and averaged 9.2 ppg.
• Thurl Bailey, selected seventh overall in the 1983 draft, played ten seasons with the Jazz, made the All-Rookie first team and averaged 14.0 ppg.
• Gordon Hayward, selected ninth overall in the 2010 draft, has played five seasons with the Jazz and averaged 19.3 ppg last season.

Too soon to tell:

• Rudy Gobert, selected with the 27th pick in the 2013 draft by the Denver Nuggets, was traded to the Jazz for Erick Green (the 46th pick in the 2013 draft) and cash on draft night. Gobert had a break-out season last year averaging 8.4 ppg, 9.5 reb, and 2.3 blk.

Now, for the top 5:

5. Deron Williams

Selected third overall in the 2005 draft, Williams lived up to all expectations. Williams played 5 ½ seasons with the Jazz before being traded to the New Jersey Nets in 2011. With the Jazz, Williams made two All-Star teams, was a two-time selection to the All-NBA second team, made the All-Rookie first team and averaged 17.3 ppg and 9.1 ast. Williams currently plays for the Brooklyn Nets.

4. Andrei Kirilenko

Selected in the first round (24th overall) in the 1999 draft, Kirilenko was a diamond in the rough. Kirilenko played ten seasons with the Jazz as a defensive standout. Kirilenko made his NBA debut in 2002 during which he was selected to the All-Rookie first team. Besides being an All-Star in the 2004 season, Kirilenko was selected to the 2006 All-Defensive first team as well as two All-Defensive second teams (2004, 2005). In 2005 Kirilenko led the league in blocks. With the Jazz, Kirilenko averaged 12.4 ppg, 5.6 reb, 2.0 blk, and 1.4 stl. Kirilenko has retired from the NBA according to media reports.

3. Mark Eaton

Selected in the fourth round (72nd overall) in the 1982 draft, Eaton turned out to be one of the best defensive big men the NBA has seen. In his 11 seasons with the Jazz, Eaton was a defensive juggernaut. He led the league in blocks four times and finished as the NBA’s all-time leader in blocks per game at 3.5. Eaton was voted as the league’s Defensive Player of the Year twice (1985, 1989). Eaton was also voted to three All-Defensive first teams (1985, 1986, 1989) as well as two All-Defensive second teams (1987, 1988). He was selected to his only All-Star game in 1989. Eaton retired in 1993 and the Jazz honored him by retiring his No. 53 jersey during the 1995-96 season.

2. John Stockton

Selected 16th overall in the 1984 draft, Stockton is viewed as one of the greatest point guards of all-time. Known for his high basketball IQ and elite passing ability, Stockton holds two records that are among the least likely to be broken in all of sports. His career assists (15,806) and career steals (3,265) could stand forever. In 19 seasons, all with the Jazz, Stockton led the league in assists nine times and steals twice. Because of his prowess in making steals, Stockton was selected to the All-Defensive second team five times (1989, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1997). Stockton was a 10-time All-Star (1989-97, 2000) and All-Star Game MVP (1993). Stockton was also selected to two All-NBA first teams (1994, 1995), six All-NBA second teams (1988-1990, 1992, 1993, 1996) and three All-NBA third teams (1991, 1997, 1999). Stockton retired after the 2002-03 season. The Jazz retired his No. 12 jersey in 2004. Stockton was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009. Stockton holds career averages of 13.1 ppg, 10.5 ast, and 2.2 stl.

1. Karl Malone

Selected 13th overall in the 1985 draft, Malone is seen as the best player to come out of his draft class. Malone, selected to the All-Rookie first team, spent 18 of his 19 NBA seasons with the Jazz. Malone, a two-time MVP (1997, 1999), was considered one of the toughest big men to guard. Malone, the all-time leading scorer for the Jazz, could score in a variety of ways, but was most known for coming off the pick-and-roll. Malone is second on the all-time scoring list (36,928) behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Malone was selected to 14 All-Star games and was the All-Star game MVP twice (1989, 1993 - sharing the honor that year with Stockton). Malone, a solid defender, was a three-time selection to the All-Defensive first team (1997-1999) and a one-time selection to the All-Defensive second team (1988). Malone was selected to 11 All-NBA first teams (1989-1999), two All-NBA second teams (1988, 2000) and one All-NBA third team (2001). After his one and only season with the Los Angeles Lakers, Malone retired in 2005. The Jazz retired his No. 32 jersey in 2006. Malone was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010. In his 18 seasons with the Jazz, Malone averaged 25.4 ppg and 10.2 reb.

Fans should not expect a player of this calibre to come from this year’s draft at the No. 12 pick. But hey, we can dream, right?

Do you agree with the rankings? Nathan Harker is a sports writing intern currently enrolled at Brigham Young University majoring in Broadcast Journalism. Nathan can be reached at nathan.harker32@gmail.com or via twitter @nharker3207.

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