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Utah Jazz: 25 Best Players To Play For The Jazz

By Phil Watson

Apr 1, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; The trees in full bloom and a general view of at Vivint Smart Home Arena where the Utah Jazz will play the Minnesota Timberwolves. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; The trees in full bloom and a general view of at Vivint Smart Home Arena where the Utah Jazz will play the Minnesota Timberwolves. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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SALT LAKE CITY – 1988: Mark Eaton #53 of the Utah Jazz plays defense during an NBA game at The Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1988. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – 1988: Mark Eaton #53 of the Utah Jazz plays defense during an NBA game at The Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1988. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

Mark Eaton. 10. player. 118. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Fourth-round pick (72nd overall) from UCLA, 1982 NBA Draft.. C. 1982-93

Mark Eaton traveled one of the most unconventional routes ever to NBA stardom. The 7-foot-4 left-hander worked for three years as an auto mechanic before giving JUCO basketball a try. That led him to UCLA, where he averaged only 3.7 minutes per game as a senior.

The Utah Jazz saw his size and took a shot with a fourth-round pick in the 1982 NBA Draft.

UTA_10_EATON
UTA_10_EATON /

Eaton took it from there, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1984-85 and 1988-89, earning an All-Star bid in 1989 and being named All-Defensive five times while turning into one of the most intimidating rim protectors the NBA has ever seen.

He led the NBA in blocks four times, was second in the league twice and third once and also finished fifth in the league in rebounding in 1984-85.

After being slowed by back and knee problems late in his career, Eaton last played in 1992-93 and formally retired in June 1994.

In 11 seasons in Utah, Eaton averaged six points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and an assist in 28.8 minutes per game, shooting .458/0-for-2/.649.

He is the NBA’s all-time leader in blocks per game and is fourth in NBA history with 3,064 blocked shots.

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