Guards Wesley Matthews and Sundaita Gaines both were undrafted last June but they have both helped the Jazz this season. Matthews has played in 56 games (22 starts) for the Jazz this season and he is averaging 21.8 minutes, 8.2 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. He is back into the starting lineup at shooting guard for the Jazz after the trade of Ronnie Brewer. Gaines has played in 13 games (0 starts) for the Jazz and he is averaging 7.8 minutes, 3.7 points, 0.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. Gaines will be most remembered for hitting a game winning shot against the Cavaliers in Salt Lake City as time expired.

The rookie Wesley Mathews has been a huge steal for the the Utah Jazz this season.  The Jazz didn’t even have to use a draft pick on him since the 6′5″ 220 lbs. Mathews was undrafted out of Marquette and the Jazz signed him as a free agent.  He has been playing with a big chip on his shoulder ever since getting passed up in the draft.  He has played in all 38 games for the Jazz (19 starts) and is averaging 8.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists on 48% shooting in only 23 minutes per game.  In his last few games, Mathews has really been effective in the short amount of playing time he is getting.  In the Jazz win over Miami last game, Mathews had 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal in only 18 minutes of play.  The game before that in a win over Dallas, he had 10 points in only 14 minutes.  In a win over Memphis on January 6th, Mathews had 15 points, 3 assists, and 1 rebound in only 20 minutes.  So, in three of his last four games Mathews has easily scored in double figures even though he averaged only 16.5 minutes in those four games.  This guy is extremely efficient and when he plays well the Jazz seem to win.  In the 16 games this season that Mathews has scored in double-figures, the Jazz have won 11 of them.  Coincidence?  I think not.  They really need to get this guy on the court more.

The Utah Jazz is a veteran team with little playing time for rookies. That is what led to the trade of point guard Eric Maynor to the Thunder along with the fact that it saved them a lot of money by including Matt Harpring in the deal. Maynor played in 26 games (2 starts) in his time with the Jazz and he averaged 14.0 minutes, 5.2 points, 1.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. Wesley Matthews has been a real find for the Jazz as the guard signed with the Jazz as a undrafted free agent out of Marquette. He has played in 35 games (19 starts) for the Jazz this season and he is averaging 23.9 minutes, 8.2 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. He is also shooting the ball very well hitting 47.7% from the floor this year. Undrafted rookie guard Sundiata Gaines made his NBA debut last night. He played 21 minutes for the Jazz finishing with 3 points, 1 rebound, 5 assists and 1 steal. But, he was only 1 of 7 shooting from the floor and he will need to do better if he is to get playing time for the Jazz.

The Jazz started the season short handed due to injuries which gave undrafted rookie guard Wesley Matthews his big chance to shine and he has run with it. Matthews has played in 24 games (16 starts) for the Jazz this season and he is averaging 26.2 minutes, 8.6 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. The Jazz have quite a find in Matthews and he will continue to get his minutes as long as he keeps playing well.

22-year old point guard Eric Maynor was just supposed to sit and learn behind Deron Williams this season. But, Williams recently had to miss a couple of games due to a sickness in his family putting Maynor in the starting lineup and he played very well. Maynor has played in 8 games (2 starts) for the Jazz this season and he is averaging 13.5 minutes, 6.4 points, 1.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Look for the Jazz to give Maynor a few more minutes than he was getting when Williams returns. 23-year old SG/SF Wes Matthews has been a huge surprise for the Jazz so far this season. The undrafted Matthews has played in 10 games (2 starts) already for the Jazz this season and he is averaging 20.1 minutes, 7.6 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. The Jazz would probably be better off with Matthews coming off the bench but due to injuries he’s been forced into the starting lineup where he is holding his own so far this year.