Utah Jazz: The 50 greatest players in franchise history

All-time greatest Utah Jazz players: No. 25 John Drew

• Seasons with the franchise: Three (1982-83 to 1984-85)
• Regular-season games played: 144
• Averages as a Jazzman: 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.1 blocks
• Shooting percentages: 46.8 from the field, 76.8 from the foul line
• Playoff games with Utah: 11
• Postseason averages: 10.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.4 steals, 0.0 blocks

J.E.

Despite struggling with addiction, John Edward Drew was a prolific scorer out of the gates for the Utah Jazz. The 6-foot-6, 205-pound forward — a former second-rounder out of Gardner-Webb who played eight seasons with the Atlanta Hawks before landing in Salt Lake City as part of the Dominique Wilkins trade in 1982 — scored 21.2 points per game in his first season as a Jazzman.

Drew was also a strong rebounder and defender, averaging more than four boards per game and at least 0.8 steals per game in each of his three seasons with the franchise.

However, the Alabama native’s best years came with the Hawks, when he ended up a two-time All-Star. And his suspension due to substance abuse while a member of the Jazz in 1985 ultimately spelled the end of his 11-year NBA career.