If Memphis loses its four-year stranglehold on Conference USA, it's a good bet it will be due at least in part to Tulsa big man Jerome Jordan. Get inside for the scoop on Jordan and 11 other mid-major players to watch this season.[details]
HEADER ERIC MAYNOR Point Guard Virginia Commonwealth University Rams #3 6:02.3-176 Raeford, North Carolina Westover High School
OVERVIEW The face of Rams basketball, Maynor guided the team to three Colonial Athletic Association titles in his time as a starter, as VCU compiled a 76-25 record. In 130 total games, he helped the team to a 95-35 mark, becoming the school's all-time leader in points scored (1,953), free throws made (503) and assists (674).
The two-time CAA men's basketball Player of the Year had a banner final season, as he led the league and ranking among the top 20 in the nation in scoring (22.4 ppg) and assists (6.2 apg). He was also chosen as the Most Outstanding Player at the CAA Men's Basketball Championship.
In four seasons playing basketball at Westover High School, Maynor led the team to a second place ranking in the state during his senior season. The Most Outstanding Player in the state championship game, scoring 25 points in that contest, he added Eastern Regional MVP accolades, along with being chosen District and Conference Player of the Year. He averaged 18 points and nine assists as a senior.
As a true freshman, Maynor started four of the 29 games he appeared in at Virginia Commonwealth. He averaged 4.7 points, 1.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. He was named Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Week at the end of February and closed out the year with a flourish, averaging 10.0 points and 3.0 assists while shooting 49 percent from the floor and 85 percent from the free-throw line in his final seven contests.
Maynor took over point guard duties in 2006-07. He led the team to a 28-7 record, as he shot 42.4 percent from the field, averaging a school single-season record 6.4 assists per game. He scored 485 points (13.9 ppg) and had 148 rebounds (4.2 rpg), adding seven blocks shots and 48 steals. He was named first-team-All CAA and the CAA Tournament Most Outstanding Performer.
As a junior, Maynor garnered Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year and All-CAA first-team honors, in addition to being selected to the CAA All-Tournament Team and CAA All-Academic Team. One of 16 finalists for the Bob Cousy Award, given annually to the nation's top point guard, he added Mid-Major All-American Team accolades.
That season, he started all 32 games, averaging 34.8 minutes per contest. He led the team and ranked second in the CAA in points per game (17.9), leading the league for the second straight year and ranked 38th nationally in assists per game (5.5). He shot .459 (196 of 427) from the field and .394 (50 of 127) from three-point range.
Maynor captured All-CAA and CAA Player of the Year honors, in addition to being named All-American second-team in 2008-09, as the Rams won the CAA title with a 24-10 record. He led the league and ranked 12th nationally with a 22.4-point average and also paced the CAA while finishing 16th in the NCAA with an average of 6.2 assists per game, the second-best season total in school history.
2008-09 SEASON Second-team All-American selection by The NBA Draft Report and Sports Illustrated, earning honorable mention from the Associated Press...All-Colonial Athletic Association first-team pick and CAA Player of the Year for the second consecutive season...Led the league and ranked 12th in the nation in scoring, totaling 760 points, the second-best season total by a Rams player, averaging 22.4 points per game (sixth on the school record list), as he made 248 of 536 field goals (46.35), 66 of 183 three-pointers (36.1 percent) and a school single-season record 198 free throws (243 attempts, 81.5 percent)...His average of 6.2 assists and 210 total assists rank second on the school single-season record chart...Averaged 3.6 rebounds (122 total), with 58 steals (1.7 spg) and six blocks, as he logged 1,206 minutes of action in 34 games, starting each contest...Scored in double figures in 32 games (reached 20 points 22 times and 30 points six times) and produced at least seven assists in 15 contests.
2007-08 SEASON Named Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year, All-CAA first-team, CAA All-Tournament Team and CAA All-Academic Team...One of 16 finalists for the Bob Cousy Award, given annually to the nation's top point guard...Named to the Mid-Major All-American Team by collegeinsider.com and collegehoops.net...Selected first-team All-State by the Richmond Times-Dispatch...Started all 32 games, averaging 34.8 minutes per game, as he led the team and ranked second in the CAA in points per game (17.9)...Led the CAA for the second consecutive year and ranked 38th nationally in assists per game (5.5)...Shot .459 (196 of 427) from the field and .394 (50 of 127) from three-point range...Totaled 573 points (sixth in school history while handing out 175 assists...Recorded two double-doubles...Topped 20 points 13 times...Grabbed 134 rebounds (4.2 rpg), as he had 40 steals, seven blocked shots and 96 turnovers.
2006-07 SEASON Named to the Mid-Major All-American Team by collegeinsider.com...Selected first-team All CAA and named the CAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Performer...Played in all 35 games, starting 34...Averaged 13.9 points (485 total), 6.4 assists (school record 224) and 4.2 rebounds (148) per contest...Ranked fifth in the nation in assists per game, which ranks third in school history...Added 48 steals and seven blocked shots, along with being charged with 73 turnovers.
2005-06 SEASON Appeared in all 29 games with four starts, including the final three games of season, as he was named CAA Rookie of the Week on 2/27...Scored 135 points (4.7 ppg) with 65 assists (2.2 apg), 38 rebounds (1.3 rpg), 22 steals (0.8 spg) and 48 turnovers.
CAREER NOTES Maynor started 104 of 130 games, setting the school career record with 1,953 points scored, topping the previous mark of 1,850 points by Kendrick Warren (1990-94)...His scoring average of 15.0 points per game tied Gerald Henderson (father of Duke guard Gerald Henderson, Jr.) for ninth on the school all-time record list (1974-78)...Shot 44.9 percent from the field, as his 654 field goals made (1,457 attempts) rank fifth in VCU history...His 79.1 percent success rate from the free-throw line ranks fourth in Rams history and his 503 free throws made (636 attempts) broke the old school career record of 440 by Calvin Duncan (1981-85)...Also set the school record with 674 assists, surpassing the previous mark of 582 by Edmund Sherod (1977-81)...His average of 5.18 assists per game ranks third in VCU annals behind Keith Highsmith (6.94 apg, 1974-76) and Kenny Harris (6.18 apg, 1992-94)...Finished fourth in school history with 168 steals, topped by Rolando Lamb (257, 1981-85), Edmund Sherod (202) and LaMar Taylor (193, 1997-2001)...Ranks third in school annals, playing in a total of 3,990 minutes...Scored 760 points in 2008-09, topped by Phil Stinnie, (803, 1987-88) on the school single-season record list...His scoring average of 22.6 points per game as a senior rank sixth in VCU history...His 248 field goals made in 2008-09 rank behind Phil Stinnie (292, 1987-88) and Charles Wilkins (264, 1969-70) on the school's annual record chart...Made 66 three-pointers in 2008-09, tying Jesse Pellot-Rosa (2006-07) for seventh on the Rams' single-season record list...Set the school single-season record by making 198 of his free throws in 2008-09, topping the previous mark of 188 by Phil Stinnie in 1987-88)...Holds the top two spots on the school's single-season record list for assists, with 224 in 2006-07 and 210 in 2008-09...Tied Gerald Henderson (1977-78) for fifth on VCU's annual record list with 58 steals in 2008-09.
HIGH SCHOOL Attended Westover Raeford, N.C.) High School...Led the team to a second place ranking in the state during his senior season....The Most Outstanding Player in the state title game, scoring 25 points in that contest. He added Eastern Regional MVP accolades, along with being chosen District and Conference Player of the Year...Averaged 18 points and nine assists as a senior.
INJURY REPORT 2007 Summer: Selected to the U.S. Pan American Games team, he managed to play in just 10 minutes over two games vs. Uruguay and Panama before being sidelined with a hip injury.
OTHER TOURNAMENTS/TEAMS SUMMER: 2007: Selected to the U.S. Pan American Games team, Maynor played at total of 10 minutes over two games vs. Uruguay and Panama before being sidelined with a hip injury.
PERSONAL Interdisciplinary Studies major...Barbara Johnson and George Maynor...Born 6/11/87 in Fayetteville, North Carolina...Resides in Raeford, North Carolina.
SCOUTING REPORT Positives: Versatile point guard with a smooth running stride, as he needs to use his quickness to compensate for an obvious lack of size, bulk and strength...Keeps the defense off balance with his ability to shift gears and vary his speed pushing the ball up the court...Crafty passer and ball handler who might not be strong enough to finish inside, but can step back and execute a floater and has developed a strong mid-range jumper and possesses valid three-point range (37.0 percent shooter from the perimeter)...Has the slippery moves to finish, especially when he mixes in an array of scoops and floaters, showing the ability to create with either hand...Has a natural feel for the defense and plays with a true point guard's mentality, as he will scan the court to locate an open teammate, despite his excellent scoring touch (will create for others first)...Reads the floor well, knowing when to execute fakes and hesitation moves to slip by the defender and is very effective pushing the ball out in transition and pick-and-roll situations...Will get bounced around a bit by the bigger defenders, but shows good aggression and determination driving to the rim...Scrappy performer whose 168 steals (fourth in school history) are evidence that he can get in and be disruptive in the passing lanes...Has better than a 2:1 assist/turnover ratio (674 assists/318 turnovers) and is a solid face up/on the ball defender in addition to doing a fine job of controlling the tempo of the game, knowing when to execute the fast break or slow it down for half-court activity...Above average ball handler who is very creative off the dribble, showing good body control driving to the rim and is determined to finish working through traffic, drawing contact along the way to get to the foul line, where he has converted at a 79.1 percent rate (fourth-best in school history)...Has the long-range shooting skills to hit on a good percentage of his jumpers (44.9 percent)...Plays with very good peripheral vision and is the type that likes to get his teammates involved in the action early, setting the tone of the game (had at least seven assists in 15 of 34 games last year)...His ability to shift gears constantly forces the defender to commit too early or get off-balance, leaving him enough space to put up a quick floater...Can be taken out of his element when pressured, but is also savvy enough to know to not force the issue inside when this happens, as he can walk the ball up through the gap in the lane or draw contact by executing his second gear...Has a sudden spin move that he uses often from a stationary position and the fakes and hesitation moves (uses that move quite a bit when delivering on his pull-up jumper) that will fool the defender while driving with equal efficiency to his right or left...Keeps the ball low on the dribble and shows good passing ability getting the ball out to perimeter shooters...Has enough burst in transition to move the ball up the court before the defense can recover...Has very good hand quickness on the dish-and-drive plays and excites the crowd with his no-look and behind-the-back passing skills...His soft hands have proven to be very effective for him on the catch-and-shoot plays, as he has great confidence in his jump shot from anywhere on the court.
Negatives: Has decent assist/turnover ratio, but can get a bit out of control and too fancy with no-look passes. That has resulted in more turnovers than one would like during his senior year (101)...Not strong enough to defend the bigger two-guards at the next level and has just average athleticism and wingspan when taking on perimeter shooters, along with marginal-to-average lateral agility...Gets too comfortable with spacing and this has resulted in a slow release (defenders have had good success contesting his shots, especially on the perimeter)...Lacks good off-ball movement skills and needs the sphere in his hands to feel more comfortable...Aggressive attacking the rim, but struggles to finish at the basket vs. face-up defenders...Not the most dedicated defender on the court (lacks physicality and the loose hips to stay in front of the shooter on the perimeter), but is effective working in the passing lanes...Generous with the ball, but to a fault, as there are times he should just create his own shot rather than do so for others...His frame is not the type that can add more bulk and strength without it impacting his overall quickness...Rarely ever matched up vs. great competition playing in the Colonial Athletic Association.
Compares To: SAM CASSELL, ex-NBA (Houston/Milwaukee/L.A. Clippers) -- Maynor is a crafty scorer with a nice jump shot and valid NBA three-point range. He is aggressive going to the basket, but lacks the size and strength to finish there consistently. He is a pure point guard who might have a good scorer's mentality, but is better served when he keeps teammates involved early rather than trying to do it all by himself. He has a nice array of hesitation moves and the ability to shift gears to get the defender off balance, but outside of his ability to be disruptive in the passing lane, his overall defensive skills are lacking, especially along the perimeter.
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