Utah Jazz: Best Late-Round NBA Draft Picks in Utah History

Anytime an NBA team can find a good player in the later rounds of the draft it is a good thing. 

It seems like every year there is at least one player taken in the second round that surprises the league and makes an impact for his team during his rookie season.

Over the years the Utah Jazz have had some success finding players outside of the first round that have gone on to have a good first season, be a good player for the team and have a solid career.

Most of the players on this list have helped the Jazz over the years with a few of them having a good career for other teams.

Paul Millsap, 2006

After taking Ronnie Brewer in the first round, the Jazz had two second-round picks. The first was used on Deron Williams' college teammate Dee Brown, and the second on the only player in NCAA history to be the rebounding leader three years in a row. 

When Paul Millsap got to the NBA he wasted no time showing the hustle and hard work that he had in college and made a nice transition to the professional league.

His toughness and physical play made it easier for Jazz fans to say goodbye to Carlos Boozer when he left in free agency for the Chicago Bulls.

Millsap has improved every season in the league and has raised his scoring average from 6.8 points per game during his rookie season to over 17 last year.

Even though he has only played five seasons in the league, he is already one of the greatest second-round finds in Jazz history.

Shandon Anderson, 1996

Shandon Anderson helped the Jazz reach the NBA Finals in each of his first two seasons in the league.

While he did not play many years for the team, he did average about 7.5 points off the bench for the Jazz.

After his rookie contract was up, Anderson chose to leave the team and went on to play for the Houston Rockets, New York Knicks and Miami Heat.

Even though he came up short in his first two seasons with the Jazz, Anderson did win an NBA title in 2006 with Dwyane Wade and the Heat.

Mo Williams, 2003

Mo Williams is the best second-round pick of the Jazz that has helped other teams more than their own.

After playing only 57 games in his rookie season with the Jazz, Williams was released at the end of the season. He signed a contract with the Milwaukee Bucks who soon turned him into a star.

Not only did his scoring average double, but his assist total went up by nearly five per game. With the need that the Jazz had at the point guard position at that time, it was a curious move that came back to haunt the team.

Williams is consistently among the league leaders in three-point shooting, and was named to the All-Star team in 2009.

Bryon Russell, 1993

In the second round of the 1993 draft, the Jazz took a chance on an athletic player from Long Beach State.

After averaging 11.7 points and 6.6 rebounds in college, Bryon Russell spent nine of his 13 seasons in the NBA with the Jazz before playing for three other teams.

Known for playing alongside John Stockton and Karl Malone during the two runs to the NBA Finals, Russell was an athletic player who knew his role well and helped the team to success in the late '90s.

Russell ended his career averaging 7.9 points per game and adding 3.5 rebounds.

"B-Russ" will always be remembered as a fan favorite even though he played at the same time as the two biggest Jazz legends of all time.

Mark Eaton, 1982

Back in the days when the NBA draft was 10 rounds long, the Utah Jazz selected Mark Eaton with the 72nd overall selection.

This fourth-round pick went on to become the greatest defensive player that ever played for the team, and one of the best defensive centers in league history.

"Big Mark" led the league in blocked shots four times, earned the Defensive Player of the Year award twice and was named to the NBA All-Star team in 1989.

Eaton in currently in fifth place on the all-time blocks list but does lead the league in blocks per game with 3.5 blocks per game over his career.

His No. 53 jersey has been retired by the team and hangs in the Energy Solutions Arena.

C.J. Miles, 2005

C.J. Miles was selected as an 18-year-old high-schooler in the second round of the 2005 draft.

Overshadowed by Deron Williams who was the first-round pick that year, Miles has had his struggles over the years, but has found a way to stay with the team.

Just before the lockout began, the Jazz picked up the contract option to keep Miles around for one more season. Despite spending time in the developmental league, and being a regular in Jerry Sloan's doghouse, Miles has been able to raise his scoring average in each of his six seasons.

As a six-year veteran who is only 23 years old, Miles must make an impact this season and continue to show the high level of play that he had coming off the bench at times last season.

For Miles, the most important thing he can do is find some consistency with his play. If he can once again raise his scoring average and meet it on most nights, he could have a longer career with the Jazz.

Statistics found on basketball-reference.com