Top 50 Utah Jazz Players Countdown: #3 ‘Pistol’ Pete Maravich
Oct 19, 2023, 11:41 AM
Utah Jazz legend "Pistol" Pete Maravich (Photo by Focus on Sport via Getty Images)
(Photo by Focus on Sport via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The countdown for KSL Sports 50 greatest Utah Jazz players has reached the top 10. Coming in at number three is NBA legend “Pistol” Pete Maravich.
Leading up to the tip-off of the 5oth season in Jazz history, Jake Scott and Ben Anderson have been counting down the top 50 players in franchise history as voted on by the media (and a fan ballot).
Here’s a look at “Pistol” Pete Maravich’s career with the Jazz.
Jazz 50: Rank No. 3 – Pete Maravich
Maravich is considered one of the greatest shooters, scorers, and showmen to ever play in the NBA. After a record-breaking career at LSU, the guard was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the third pick in the 1970 NBA Draft where he spent the first four seasons of his career.
In order to draw an audience to New Orleans, the Jazz traded Bob Kauffman, Dean Meminger, two future first-round draft picks, two future second-round picks, and a third-round pick to Atlanta for Maravich just four seasons into his career.
Maravich played five and a half seasons with the Jazz, including 17 games in Utah after the team changed ownership in 1979. “The Pistol” averaged 25.2 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.3 rebounds in 330 appearances with the Jazz between 1974-1980.
The guard was named to three All-Star teams and three All-NBA teams during his career with the Jazz.
The Pennsylvania native remains the franchise’s all-time leader in triple-doubles with seven, and ranks in the top ten in points (seventh), assists (eighth), steals, field goals (sixth), triple-doubles (first), minutes per game (third), points per game (third), assists per game (sixth), steals per game (sixth), and free throws made (eighth).
Maravich was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987, one year before his death, and is a member of both the NBA 50th and 75th Anniversary teams.
Follow the rest of the Jazz 50 countdown with Jake and Ben Monday through Friday at 11:30 leading up to the opening day of the regular season. You can see the full list here.
Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops or on Instagram @BensHoops.
