The stakes are high for the Utah Jazz, with the NBA draft lottery just around the corner. The most likely scenario is that Utah will land at the No. 8 spot (34.1%) at the night’s end.

But is it naive to believe that Utah can strike gold without a top-four pick? Although the odds say no, it’s not out of the realm of possibility.

Let’s look at the top four No. 8 selections in the NBA draft of all ti

4 – Rudy Gay

Some Jazz fans may only remember Gay when he was way past his prime playing in Utah. However, he was a force to be reckoned with when he came into the league. Taken with the eighth pick in 2006 by the Houston Rockets but then traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, Gay made the First-Team All-Rookie team in 2007.

Over a 17-year career, he averaged 15.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Unfortunately, Gay spent most of his career playing for teams never in the playoff hunt. Despite an incredible career, he’s only participated in 19 playoff games over three seasons.

Gay was durable, consistent, and an incredible one-on-one player. If he had not spent most of his career on bad teams, he would be a much more recognized name in the history of the NBA.

3 – Andre Miller

Jazz fans should remember Miller from playing for Rick Majerus and the Utah Utes well. Drafted No. 8 in 1999 by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miller was as steady as they come at the point guard position.

Over a 17-year career, Miller averaged 11.1 points and 5.8 assists per game. His career highlights include being the NBA assist leader in 2002, being an All-NBA rookie in 2000, and being ranked 14th all-time in career assists with 8524.

Jazz fans can see his jersey hanging in the rafters at the University of Utah, and who could forget the NCAA tournament run he had that fell short in the championship game to the Kentucky Wildcats?

2 – Detlef Schrempf

Drafted eighth overall in 1985 by the Dallas Mavericks, Schrempf was a 3x All-Star, 2x Sixth Man of the Year, and made the All-NBA team in 1995. He was one of the best three-point shooters of his time and led the league from long distance in FG % at a remarkable 51.4% in the 1994-95 season.

Arguably the best player ever to come out of Germany, Shrempf had a skillset that would do well in the modern NBA. Standing at 6-foot-10, he could space the floor and was a triple threat whenever he touched the ball.

When it was all said and done, Shrempf amassed 15,761 points, 7023 rebounds, and 3833 assists. He had an impressive career and was ahead of his time regarding his skill set.

1- Robert Parrish

Interestingly, Parrish was drafted by the Utah Stars of the ABA in 1973 but started his pro career when he was picked eighth overall by the Golden State Warriors in 1976.

Parrish is best known for his championship runs with the Boston Celtics, but he was much more than Larry Bird’s teammate. He averaged 14.6 points and 9.6 rebounds over a 20-year span.

He was usually on a winning team and, remarkably, was a part of 16 teams that made the playoffs. He was an integral part of three NBA championships in Boston and was a member of the 1997 Chicago Bulls that won a title.

Parrish was inducted into the Centenary College Athletics Hall of Fame in 1988,[ the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2001,  and the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. In 1996, Parrish was voted as a 50 All-Time Great Player. Also, in 2021, he joined the NBA 75th Anniversary team. An incredible career, indeed.