Gordon Hayward, who was a starter on the Butler University team that made a championship run in March, was selected as the ninth overall pick in the 2010 National Basketball Association’s draft Thursday evening.
The Utah Jazz used their first-round pick on the Butler sophomore, making him the first Butler player to play in the NBA and fourth to play professionally in the United States.
The Jazz, who are coached by Jerry Sloan, is a nice fit for the shooting guard– they’re configured for a full court offence rather than a half-court one.
Hayward should feel comfortable in Utah–the Jazz’s home building is the site of Butler’s third- and fourth-round wins in the NCAA tournament.
The Jazz’ 2010-11 season schedule has not been released yet, but Indianapolis locals should keep their eyes open for when Hayward and the Jazz may be playing against the Indiana Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse.
The Jazz took Jeremy Evans, a 6-foot-9 player from Western Kentucky, in the second round.