Karl Malone is really going to like Utah's second-round pick in Wednesday's NBA Draft.
Xavier forward Torraye Braggs, who at No. 57 was the second-to-last player drafted, certainly isn't lacking in confidence. And he sounds an awful lot like some current Jazzmen who raised Malone's ire when they signed contract extensions last summer."It's just a building block for me," Braggs said shortly after he was drafted. "Hopefully I can fulfill (Malone's) shoes and maybe surpass him. I know I can learn a lot from him, and hopefully I can teach him a few things and make him better while he's still playing."
Disrespectful? No way. Braggs considers Malone the game's best power forward and hopes to learn a lot from him. He just likes to meet his challenges head on.
"We could bring out the best in each other," said Braggs, who considers himself a fast learner. "All out. That's how I play. I'm a self-motivated person."
Pardon the pun, but Braggs isn't just bragging.
He was named MVP of the NBA's pre-draft camp in Portsmouth, Va., after averaging 23.3 points and 11.3 rebounds. In his college career at Xavier, Braggs shot 55 percent from the field.
Jazz basketball operations chief Scott Layden, who was surprised Braggs was still available when Utah's second-round pick rolled around, describes the 6-foot-8, 236-pound forward as a physical, powerful player.
"He's aggressive. A guy who gives you a full day's work. He's going to be very good for our team," Layden said. "He's a warrior. He comes to play every night."
Braggs also happens to be Utah's only player gained in the draft. The Jazz selected Kentucky center Nazr Mohammed with the 29th and final pick in the first round but later dealt the 6-foot-10 pivotman to Philadelphia for a future draft choice.
With 10 veterans already under contract, the two-time defending Western Conference champion Jazz don't have a lot of job openings. Perhaps none if the franchise opts to re-sign Antoine Carr and is able to attract Isaac Austin back to the fold.
Braggs isn't concerned.
"I know once I get in there I'm going to get one of those spots," he said. "All I need is the chance."
A lifelong Lakers fan, Braggs watched every game of Utah's sweep of his favorites in the Western Conference Finals. During the series, he grew to appreciate the brand of basketball the Jazz played. And though he had hoped to be drafted earlier, possibly in the first round, Braggs considers the late call from the Jazz a blessing in disguise.
"They play like a championship team," he said. "I want to learn and play the right game. Hopefully, we can get over the hump and win that championship."
Braggs plans on joining Shandon Anderson (54th in 1996) and Bryon Russell (45th in 1993) as Jazz second-round picks who overcame tough odds to make the squad and develop into contributors.
"He has the opportunity to prove a lot of people wrong," said Xavier coach Skip Prosser.
Braggs has had little contact with Jazz officials since the draft. As a second-round selection, he will not be offered a guaranteed contract initially. The Cincinnati resident is eager to participate in the Rocky Mountain Revue (which is endangered this year because of a possible labor negotiation moratorium). And will likely not visit Salt Lake City until rookie/free agent camp later this summer.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Torraye Braggs' stats
Statistics at San Jose City College
SEASON G FGM FGA PCT FTM FTA PCT REB AST PTS AVG
1994-95 34 289 546 .529 150 219 .685 354 72 728 21.4
1995-96 32 263 477 .551 118 175 .674 360 120 645 20.2
Totals 66 552 1,023 .540 268 394 .680 714 192 1,373 20.8
3-point field goals: 1994-95, 0-for-2 (.000); 1995-96, 1-for-1 (.1000). Totals: 1-for-3 (.333).
Statistics at Xavier
SEASON G FGM FGA PCT FTM FTA PCT REB AST PTS AVG
1996-97 29 148 265 .558 107 148 .723 214 74 403 13.9
1997-98 30 132 244 .541 125 171 .731 246 72 389 13.0
Totals 59 280 509 .550 232 319 .727 460 146 792 13.4
3-point field goals: 1996-97, 0-for-1 (.000); 1997-98, 0-for-0 (.000). Totals: 0-for-1 (.000).
Source: National Basketball Asssociation
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And with the 57th pick, the Utah Jazz select . . .
TORRAYE BRAGGS
College: Xavier
Height: 6-8
Weight: 236
Position: forward
High School: Edison, Calif.
Birthdate: May 15, 1976
Birthplace: Fresno, Calif.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Played final two seasons at Xavier after spending first two years at San Jose City College.
- Was a two-year starter for Musketeers, using his inside presence to rank among the team leaders in rebounding both seasons.
- Earned a spot on the 1998 Atlantic 10 All-Tournament team after averaging 17.7 points and 8.0 rebounds while helping lead Xavier to the championship with three consecutive victories.
- Over two seasons with the Musketeers, posted averages of 13.4 points and 7.8 rebounds while shooting 55 percent from field.
- Starred for two seasons at San Jose City College, ranking as school's all-time leading rebounder with 714 and the second-leading scorer with 1,373 points.
- Was a First Team All-State California Junior College pick in consecutive seasons.
- Named MVP at Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, where he averaged 23.3 points and 11.3 rebounds and shot 64 percent from field.
- At Nike Desert Classic, averaged 13.3 points and 8.3 rebounds.