Top 50 Utah Jazz Players Countdown: #39 John Drew
Aug 30, 2023, 11:39 AM
Utah Jazz forward John Drew (Credit: NBA)
(Credit: NBA)
SALT LAKE CITY – The countdown for KSL Sports 50 greatest Utah Jazz players continues, and coming in at number 39 is forward John Drew.
Leading up to the tip-off of the 50th season in Jazz history, Jake Scott and Ben Anderson have been counting down the top 50 players in franchise history as voted on by fans and the media.
Here’s a look at John Drew’s career with the Jazz.
Jazz 50: Rank No. 39 – John Drew
After selecting Dominique Wilkins with the third overall pick in the 1982 NBA draft, the Jazz traded the future Hall of Famer to the Atlanta Hawks for Drew, Freeman Williams, and cash needed to keep the organization afloat.
Drew, an eight-year NBA veteran with two All-Star appearances under his belt came to the Jazz and helped turn the franchise into one of the league’s perennial playoff teams alongside Adrian Dantley and Darrell Griffith.
Though he spent just three seasons with the team, Drew averaged 18.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 145 appearances including two trips to the postseason.
Unfortunately, Drew’s substance abuse issues led him to miss eight weeks during his first season in Utah and ultimately cost him his NBA career when he was waived by the team after relapsing in 1984.
Despite his short career with the Jazz, Drew ranks seventh all-time in points per game with the organization and eighth overall in PER.
Drew died after complications from bone cancer in 2022 at the age of 67.
See the full list of players named so far here!
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Follow the rest of the Jazz 50 countdown with Jake and Ben Monday through Friday at 11:30 leading up to the opening day of the regular season.
Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops or on Instagram @BensHoops.
