I’m just looking at is as an opportunity. College was fun and now it’s the pros and I have to maximize every opportunity and I’m coming in here to work. – Olivier Hanlan
SALT LAKE CITY — If Jazz fans were disappointed with the numbers put up by first-round pick Trey Lyles last year at Kentucky, they should be doing cartwheels over the numbers second-round draft pick Olivier Hanlan produced at Boston College.
Over a three-year period, Hanlan started 95 of 96 games and averaged 17.8 points playing 33 minutes per game while shooting 45 percent from the field and 78 percent from the foul line. He was a first-team all-ACC selection and set an ACC tournament record for a freshman in 2013 by scoring 41 points against Georgia Tech.
On the other hand, Hanlan was taken with the 42nd overall pick of Thursday’s draft and history says that not many second-round draft picks make it in the NBA.
However, Hanlan isn’t worried about history and hopes to make an impact, the same way Jordan Clarkson did last year with the Lakers after being taken with the No. 46 pick and making the NBA All-Rookie first team.
“I’m just looking at is as an opportunity,’’ Hanlan said. “College was fun and now it’s the pros and I have to maximize every opportunity and I’m coming in here to work.’’
Like Lyles, Hanlan grew up in Canada (Quebec) but played his high school ball in New Hampshire before attending Boston College. He thrived there over three seasons and decided to turn pro after his junior year.
His college stats indicate he was more of a shooting guard, although he did average 4.2 assists as a junior. But Hanlan says he can play either guard position and has plenty of experience.
“It’s funny because in prep school I used to never score the ball that much — it was only assists and I got comfortable doing that,’’ he said. “But I proved a lot in college. In my first two years, I started getting better at shooting the ball and being more confident on and off the ball. I feel I can play both guard positions.’’
Hanlan also pointed out that there’s a certain player named Stephen Curry who does pretty well as a combo guard and that Tony Parker is a point guard who can score.
The 6-4, 190-pounder is familiar with the Jazz guards, having watched Trey Burke in college and Dante Exum last year and playing against Bryce Cotton twice when the latter played for Providence.
“They’ve got some good guards right now, but I think I can step in and help a bit at a 1 or a 2 or whatever way I can contribute and do what (Quin Snyder) wants,’’ Hanlan said.
As for his name, remember it’s Olivier as in Lawrence the actor, not as in Twist, the musical. Hanlan said his mother is French Canadian (he can speak French and looks forward to communicating with Rudy Gobert), but he still gets called “Oliver” much of the time.
Hanlan also revealed that he enjoys fishing and looks forward to checking out Utah’s lakes and streams, saying, “Hopefully I can get some in here.’’
But it won’t happen soon as he has work to do, beginning with the Jazz Summer League, which starts in 10 days. That will be his first chance to prove that he belongs in the NBA.