Thursday night Eric Maynor made history. Maynor became the first VCU player ever to be selected in the first round of the National Basketball Association’s draft. With the 20th slot the Utah Jazz tapped Maynor, VCU’s all-time leading scorer (1,953 points).

Originally recruited by Jeff Capel (now head coach at Oklahoma), Maynor played for Anthony Grant (now head coach at Alabama) for three seasons.

In his last game in a Rams uniform Maynor missed the last shot of his college career. UCLA’s Darren Collison was guarding him, closely. As VCU fans know Collison’s team won and advanced in the NCAA postseason tournament. The Rams went home.

Today Maynor got a small measure of revenge. Collison was picked by New Orleans as the No. 21 man selected in the first round, one notch below Maynor. Revenge aside, both guys are now millionaires.

“I can’t even describe the feeling right now,” Maynor said. “I’ve worked my whole life to get to this point and I have so many different emotions running through me right now. It’s really a testament to more than just me; it’s my teammates, my coaches, my friends and most importantly my family to be in the position I am right now.”

Maynor, 6-3, 175, is also VCU’s all-time leader in assists (674), games played (130) and free throws made (503). He was selected as the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year in his junior and senior seasons.

“I’m excited about the opportunity with the Jazz. Their winning tradition is a lot like VCU in that they continue to be a factor in postseason play year-in and year-out,” Maynor added. “Darren Williams is a great guard that I look forward to playing with and learning from. Coach Sloan is a legendary type of coach that has produced so many great teams. Add all of that to an incredible fan base and I’m looking forward to having a lot of fun out there.”

Maynor is the first player from the CAA to be drafted since ODU’s Cal Bowdler was picked by the Atlanta Hawks in 1999. He is the first VCU player to be drafted since Sherron Mills in 1993 (second round by the Minnesota Timberwolves).

– Maynor quotes provided by Scott Day at VCU. Photos by F.T. Rea