Hoops Habit
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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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30 Jan 2001: Bryon Russell #3 of the Utah Jazz leaps up to sink the ball during the game against the Seattle SuperSonics at Key Arena in Seattle, Washington. The Jazz defeated the Sonics 102-88. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule Jr. /Allsport
30 Jan 2001: Bryon Russell #3 of the Utah Jazz leaps up to sink the ball during the game against the Seattle SuperSonics at Key Arena in Seattle, Washington. The Jazz defeated the Sonics 102-88. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule Jr. /Allsport /

SF-SG. 1993-2002. Bryon Russell. 23. player. 118. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Second-round pick (45th overall) from Long Beach State, 1993 NBA Draft.

Bryon Russell came into the NBA with little fanfare after a junior season at Long Beach State during which he averaged more than 13 points and almost seven rebounds a game.

The Utah Jazz took a shot on the small forward in the second-round of the 1993 NBA Draft and he turned into a key contributor for almost a decade.

Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan /

took the series-winning shot over in the 1998 NBA Finals.

Russell started all six games of the 1997 NBA Finals against the Chicago Bulls, averaging 11.3 points and 5.8 rebounds in 38.7 minutes per game, shooting .390/.441/7-for-8 in the six-game loss.

In the 1998 Finals, he averaged 8.8 points, five rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.2 steals in 36 minutes per game, shooting .409/.286/11-for-16 in another six-game loss to the Bulls.

In September 2002, he left to sign as a free agent with the Washington Wizards.

In nine seasons in Utah, Russell averaged 9.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 steals in 26.2 minutes per game, shooting .441/.371/.747.

In October 2003, Russell signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers and he signed with the Denver Nuggets in October 2004.

He was part of a four-team trade in February 2006 that sent him to the Seattle SuperSonics, who waived him in March 2006 before he played in a game for them.

He continued playing in minor circuits such as the American Basketball Association, International Basketball League and West Coast Pro Basketball League before retiring in 2009.

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