Former Utah Jazz Forward John Drew Passes Away
Apr 10, 2022, 4:01 PM | Updated: 8:20 pm
John Drew #22 of the Utah Jazz shoots against the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1983 at The Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Drew played for the Jazz from 1982-84. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former Utah Jazz forward John Drew passed away following a battle with bone cancer, according to his family via AL.com.
The Vredenburgh, Alabama native passed away at the age of 67 in Houston, Texas.
Drew played for the Jazz from 1982-84.
Former @utahjazz player John Drew has passed away after a battle with spinal cancer. He was 67 years old. He averaged 18 points per game off the bench for the 1983-84 "Team with Heart" that was the first team in franchise history to make the playoffs. https://t.co/o9GQ8nBAOW pic.twitter.com/gaU4DNKXJW
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) April 11, 2022
Prior to his NBA career, Drew played college basketball at Gardner-Webb.
He was selected with the No. 25 overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks during the second round of the 1974 NBA Draft.
The legend Paul James did this story with John Drew in 1984 and John showed Paul why he was the best dresser on the @utahjazz https://t.co/o9GQ8nBAOW@kslsports pic.twitter.com/I5ANUiM1LV
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) April 11, 2022
After nearly a decade in Atlanta, the Hawks traded Drew to the Jazz in exchange for Dominique Wilkins.
Brenda Drew, wife of John Drew, former @ATLHawks & @utahjazz forward, who passed away in Houston today at age 67, on how John would want to be remembered: “Honestly, as a God-loving, God-believing man. That was his number one thing.” pic.twitter.com/lWZtVKLYYN
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) April 10, 2022
Drew played three seasons with Utah. The forward battled a drug addiction throughout his career and was waived by the Jazz following a relapse.
Former @ATLHawks & @utahjazz forward John Drew, passed away today at age 67 after suffering from spinal cancer according to his wife. While John was the 1st player to be banned from the NBA for violating the league’s substance policy, Brenda says John had been “clean” since 2001. pic.twitter.com/zSSsmDNIow
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) April 10, 2022
Drew finished his NBA career as a two-time All-Star. He had career averages of 20.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.
Former @ATLHawks & @utahjazz forward John Drew, who played 11 years in the NBA, was a two-time All-Star and made the All-Rookie Team, passed away today at the age of 67 after suffering from spinal cancer according to his wife Brenda: “I’m gonna miss him greatly, but I’m so…” pic.twitter.com/HRFaWqDHe6
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) April 10, 2022
After his time in the NBA, Drew played for the Wyoming Wildcatters of the Continental Basketball Association from 1984-86.
