Jazz assistant coach Phil Johnson has some advice for college players considering an early jump to the NBA.
Don't do it.
After watching rookies Eric Maynor and Wesley Mathews help carry the Jazz in games at Philadelphia and Cleveland last week, Johnson notes that both played four years of college basketball.
"They are more ready than the normal rookie who comes into the league today," Johnson said. "So that's a vote, in my opinion, for staying in college."
Maynor is 22 years old. Mathews just turned 23.
"Those two kids have had experience, they're older and they played well," Johnson said.
At Virginia Commonwealth, Maynor played 134 games, including 34 as a senior. He started 104 times.
"[Staying] helped me a lot," Maynor said. "Playing four years, being in college that long and learning every year, I think it helped me a whole lot."
Maynor considered declaring for the NBA draft after his junior year but decided "the day of the deadline" to stay in school.
"I felt I could get better at some things," he said, "and I felt I wanted to accomplish more things at VCU."
Mathews played 127 games at Marquette, including 35 as a senior. He made 117 starts.
"You can never really prepare for the NBA," Mathews said. "But I feel, if you're in the Big East, it's the closest thing possible, other than going overseas and playing in one of the top leagues. ...
