With two days left until the NBA Draft, the Utah Jazz are whittling their list down to a manageable size. They have attended camps, interviewed candidates and done extensive background checks on possibilities.
Although Jazz officials are reluctant to talk about their plans, they have indicated they would like to pick a big man or point guard this year when they take the No. 23 pick. Otherwise, it's the standard "best player available" line. Here is a look at some of those who could still be around when the Jazz pick:THE BIG
Sean Rooks, 6-10, 250, Arizona - All Pac-10 first team, averaged 16.3 points and 6.9 rebounds last year. Good low-post scorer. Jazz Director of Basketball Operations Scott Layden says it's a "good question" if he will be around when the Jazz pick. "Generally those guys go in the first round because of their ability to score."
Elmore Spencer, 7-0, 270, UNLV - A.P. honorable mention All-America, averaged 14.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.5 blocks a game. As with Rooks, could be picked around the time the Jazz's number comes up. Layden calls him "one of the real wide-bodies" in the draft, but not overweight.
Darren Morningstar, 6-10, 235, Pittsburgh - Projected late first or early second-round pick. Morningstar's stock went up with a good showing in the Orlando camp, where he made the all-tourney team. He has good skills and plays physically. Averaged 12.3 points and 6.2 rebounds as a senior.
P.J. Brown, 6-11, 240, Louisiana Tech - You've got to love at least one thing about this guy: he's from Karl Malone's alma mater. Can lightning strike twice in the same spot? Not likely. But Layden says Brown should go late in the first or early second round. Averaged 12.7 points and 9.9 rebounds as a senior. Is lean but athletic and can run the floor, block shots and rebound.
Matt Geiger, 7-1, 251, Georgia Tech - Shot 61 percent as a senior, averaging 11.8 points and 7.3 rebounds for the Yellow Jackets. His 65 blocks in a season is second only to John Salley in Tech history. Played as a freshman and sophomore at Auburn.
Oliver Miller, 6-9, 275, Arkansas - Razorbacks' all-time leader in blocks (345) and field-goal percentage (.636). Averaged 13.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.6 blocks last year. All Southwest Conference first team selection. Has a 76-inch armspan.
THE SMALL
Tony Bennett, 6-0, 175, Wisconsin-Green Bay - Played for his father, Dick, who also coached Terry Porter when he was at Wisconsin-Stevens Point. But while Porter
See JAZZ on D5
was primarily an inside player in college, Bennett is a true guard. Shot .489 from three-point range and was Mid-Continent Conference Player of the Year. Starting point guard for bronze medal-winning U.S. team at '91 Pan Am Games. "He reminds me a lot of Mark Price . . . I can tell you right now I wish we had him. I really think he can play in this league. I'll be surprised if he doesn't," said Jerry Reynolds, Sacramento's player-personnel director. Fits the mold of players the Jazz have thrived on, picking talent from unheralded programs.
Lee Mayberry, 6-2, 175, Arkansas - The Razorbacks' all-time leader in assists, steals and three-point percentage and the third all-time scorer. Shot .504 from three-point range and led the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio. "A very good player," says Layden, who projects Mayberry will go in the late first or early second round. Could be the best point guard in the draft. Also, because smaller players tend to slip, he could be available for the Jazz.
Brent Price, 6-1, 175, Oklahoma - Is listed as the Jazz's choice on the Jazz player board, which means odds are strong they'll never pick him. A good shooter and playmaker, he is the brother of Cleveland All-Star, Mark. That alone may get him a good look from a lot of people.
Litterial Green, Georgia, 6-1, 185 - Projected early second-round choice. However, Layden saw Green score 30 points in a half against UCLA. He is a scoring point guard who averaged 19.5 points, four assists and three rebounds as a senior.
Randy Woods, 6-0, 185, LaSalle - MAAC and Philadelphia Big 5 Player of the Year, averaging 27.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.2 assists. "He had an exceptional year," said Seton Hall coach P.J. Carlesimo. "A lot of guys have stats that aren't that meaningful. Randy's stats are so overpowering, they speak for themselves. He's a complete player." Played well in postseason camps and reportedly has toughness to go with glossy stats.
Chris Smith, 6-3, 188, Connecticut - UConn's all-time leading scorer. Averaged 21.2 points and 3.7 assists. A good shooter, Smith is expected to go sometime in the second round.
Henry Williams, 6-2, 170, UNC-Charlotte - UNCC's all-time leading scorer, earned All-Metro first team honors as a senior,avraging 20.8 points, 4.1 assist and 3.4 rebounds.
Duane Cooper, 6-1, 185, Southern Cal - All-Pac-10 first team, averaged 12.2 points and 5.4 assists. Layden terms him "not bad," and says he expects Cooper, who played well in the Chicago camp, to be taken in the second round.
THE OTHERS
Doug Christie, 6-6, 205, Pepperdine - A two-guard, Christie was MVP of the NABC All-Star Game of the Final Four in Minneapolis. Christie, the West Coast Conference Player of the Year, averaged 19.5 points a game. Had knee surgery in college. Could well go ahead of the Jazz's No. 23 pick.
Dave Johnson, 6-7, 210, Syracuse - A small forward, Johnson was an All-Tournament selection at the Orlando Classic after averaging 19.8 points and 7.0 rebounds.
Marlon Maxey, 6-8, 250, UTEP - Listed as a forward, Maxey is also listed at 6-8. But he reportedly measured 6-10 at a camp this spring. Stock rose when he was named MVP of the Portsmouth Invitational in April. Played in just 17 games as a junior due to knee surgery and missed nine more as a senior with another knee operation. But he checked out with doctors at the camps and could be gone before the Jazz get to pick. The Jazz have reportedly shown considerable interest in Maxey.
Byron Houston, 6-6, 250, Oklahoma State - The Cowboys' all-time leading scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker. Named Big Eight Co-Player of the year with Doug Smith as a junior. Measured only 6-4 at camps and could drop far enough to be available to the Jazz.
Ron "Popeye" Jones, 6-8, 270, Murray State - Led the country in rebounding (14.4) and averaged 21.1 points a game. A longtime weight watcher, he reportedly has slimmed down just in time for the draft. Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year as a junior.