Get to Know the Rookie Eric Maynor

By: Aubrie Corey
Raeford N.C., is exactly 232 miles from Virginia Commonwealth University. A quick three hour drive, according to Maynor, that was easy for his family to make during the season to come cheer him on at home games. However, EnergySolutions Arena, which is exactly 2,165.6 miles away from Raeford N.C., is more like a threeday drive.

Yet, speaking with the 6-3 guard, you’d never think he was far from Hoke County as he enjoys a game of pool with his dad and one of his older brothers, both of which have made the move out to the Great Salt Lake with him.

“Salt Lake City is a lot different from North Carolina and Virginia. Right now I’m doing a lot of running around and I’m trying to get settled in. I’m also just getting used to the weather out here. I know it snows a lot. I haven’tseen it yet, but I know it’s gonna be different.”
Maynor, the youngest of the three boys, has more than just handles on the court and the pool table.

“I played all three sports growing up. I played quarterback for the football team, I was a pitcher and I played shortstop. But I’ve always played more basketball. Every year I was on AAU teams.”
During his senior year at Westover High School in Fayetteville, N.C., Maynor led his team to a state championship title where he was named Most Outstanding Player in the state. The guard ended his senior season as a Wolverine averaging 18 points and nine assists. 

Several schools in the Colonial Athletic Association recruited Maynor, but Virginia Commonwealth University was the lucky pick.
“VCU was a great place. I had a great career and the fans were lovely. It wasn’t far from home, so it was nice that my family was able to come see me a lot.”

The sports management major had more than one shining moment during his four-year college career. Yet, his most famous, the “Duke Dagger,” still echoes around college basketball today.

As a sophomore, Maynor hit the game-winning shot, which kicked Duke to the curb in the first round of the 2007 NCAA Tournament and put VCU on the map. Maynor also had 22 points and eight assists that night.
Yet, his accomplishments go much further than a single jumper. 

Maynor was named the CAA Player of the Year in 2008-09, taking home the award for the second straight season. The 22-year old also received Sports Illustrated All-America Second Team and Associated Press Honorable Mention All-America honors.

A finalist for the Bob Cousy Award, Maynor led the CAA for the third consecutive season in assists per game (6.2) while also leading the league as a senior in scoring per game (22.4).

The former Ram concluded his collegiate career as VCU’s all-time leading scorer (1,953) and assist-man (674), which is why it’s no surprise that VCU retired his No. 3 jersey before his final home game.
“None was more special than another. We went to the NCAA tournament two out of the four years I was in college so that was good. I’m also proud of the scoring and assist records but nothing is bigger than the other. It was all special.”

The Jazz sent its newest addition to the Orlando Pro Summer league in July where he caught a glimpse of his near future. “The summer went really well. I was just getting introduced to playing against guys in the league. We practiced five days straight and then played five days straight, so it was intense.”

“I’m excited to start playing and do what I’ve always dreamed about doing. I’m really excited about that.”

As a rookie it’s usually no surprise when there’s an initiation fee. Laughing over the phone, Maynor made sure not to pinpoint any of his new teammates. “No, well everything is cool. They already told me there won’t be anything going on or at least nothing too out of the way.”

Maynor has already proven he can hold his ground as the new guy in town, even if he has to carry a pink backpack on the road.