Last Updated on December 23, 2024 by Mathew Diekhake

Here’s a list of Utah Jazz Legends, showcasing the players and contributors who helped shape the franchise into one of the most respected in NBA history:

Karl Malone (“The Mailman”)

  • Position: Power Forward
  • Years Played: 1985–2003 (Jazz: 1985–2003)
  • Achievements:
    • 2× NBA MVP (1997, 1999)
    • 14× NBA All-Star (13× with Jazz)
    • 11× All-NBA First Team
    • Hall of Fame Inductee (2010)
  • Malone is the second all-time leading scorer in NBA history and the face of the Jazz franchise during their dominant years in the 1990s.

John Stockton

  • Position: Point Guard
  • Years Played: 1984–2003
  • Achievements:
    • All-time NBA leader in assists (15,806) and steals (3,265)
    • 10× NBA All-Star
    • 11× All-NBA Team
    • Hall of Fame Inductee (2009)
  • Stockton was known for his incredible court vision, precision passing, and tenacious defense, forming one of the greatest duos in NBA history with Karl Malone.

Adrian Dantley

  • Position: Small Forward
  • Years Played: 1979–1986
  • Achievements:
    • 6× NBA All-Star (4× with Jazz)
    • 2× NBA Scoring Champion (1981, 1984)
    • Hall of Fame Inductee (2008)
  • Dantley was one of the league’s premier scorers during his time with the Jazz, averaging over 30 points per game for four seasons.

Mark Eaton

  • Position: Center
  • Years Played: 1982–1993
  • Achievements:
    • 2× NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1985, 1989)
    • 5× NBA All-Defensive Team
    • NBA All-Star (1989)
  • Eaton was a defensive force, leading the NBA in blocks four times and anchoring the Jazz’s defense in the 1980s.

Pete Maravich (“Pistol Pete”)

  • Position: Shooting Guard
  • Years Played: 1974–1980 (New Orleans Jazz)
  • Achievements:
    • 5× NBA All-Star (2× with Jazz)
    • Hall of Fame Inductee (1987)
  • Known for his dazzling ball-handling and scoring, Maravich was the Jazz’s first superstar and helped establish the franchise in New Orleans.

Deron Williams

  • Position: Point Guard
  • Years Played: 2005–2011 (Jazz)
  • Achievements:
    • 3× NBA All-Star (2× with Jazz)
    • 2× All-NBA Second Team
  • Williams was one of the league’s premier point guards in the late 2000s, leading the Jazz to multiple deep playoff runs.

Andrei Kirilenko (“AK-47”)

  • Position: Small Forward / Power Forward
  • Years Played: 2001–2011
  • Achievements:
    • NBA All-Star (2004)
    • 3× NBA All-Defensive Team
  • Kirilenko was a versatile defender and playmaker, known for his ability to stuff the stat sheet with blocks, steals, and assists.

Jeff Hornacek

  • Position: Shooting Guard
  • Years Played: 1994–2000
  • Achievements:
    • Integral part of the Jazz’s 1997 and 1998 Finals runs.
    • One of the NBA’s best shooters, particularly from the free-throw line.
  • Hornacek was the perfect complement to Stockton and Malone with his shooting and basketball IQ.

Rudy Gobert (“The Stifle Tower”)

  • Position: Center
  • Years Played: 2013–2022 (Jazz)
  • Achievements:
    • 3× NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2018, 2019, 2021)
    • 4× NBA All-Star (all with Jazz)
    • 6× All-NBA Team
  • Gobert was the defensive anchor for the Jazz in the 2010s and early 2020s, leading them to multiple playoff appearances.

Carlos Boozer

  • Position: Power Forward
  • Years Played: 2004–2010
  • Achievements:
    • 2× NBA All-Star (both with Jazz)
    • Key player in Jazz’s deep playoff runs in 2007 and 2008.
  • Boozer was a dominant scorer and rebounder in the post, forming a formidable duo with Deron Williams.

Rickey Green

  • Position: Point Guard
  • Years Played: 1980–1988
  • Achievements:
    • NBA All-Star (1984)
  • Green was the Jazz’s floor general during their rise to competitiveness in the 1980s.

Paul Millsap

  • Position: Power Forward
  • Years Played: 2006–2013
  • Achievements:
    • Developed into an All-Star-caliber player after his Jazz tenure.
  • Millsap was a versatile and hardworking forward who contributed to multiple playoff runs.

Darrell Griffith (“Dr. Dunkenstein”)

  • Position: Shooting Guard
  • Years Played: 1980–1991
  • Achievements:
    • NBA Rookie of the Year (1981)
  • Known for his high-flying dunks, Griffith was one of the most exciting players in the Jazz’s early history.

Other Notable Jazz Legends:

  • Thurl Bailey: Key contributor in the 1980s and early 1990s.
  • Bobby Hansen: Defensive specialist and key player in the late 1980s.
  • Memo Okur: 2007 NBA All-Star and stretch big man during the Jazz’s 2000s playoff runs.
  • Gordon Hayward: NBA All-Star (2017) and leading scorer for the Jazz in the 2010s.
  • Frank Layden (Coach): 1984 NBA Coach of the Year, instrumental in building the Jazz into a playoff team.
  • Jerry Sloan (Coach): Legendary head coach (1988–2011), led the Jazz to two NBA Finals appearances and over 1,000 wins.

These legends helped define the Utah Jazz across different eras, from their early days in New Orleans to their rise as perennial contenders in the 1990s and beyond.