Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus Nevada [Exh] on October 17, 2025
![Nevada [Exh]](https://images.sidearmdev.com/crop?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdxbhsrqyrr690.cloudfront.net%2Fsidearm.nextgen.sites%2Futahutes.com%2Fimages%2Flogos%2FNevadaAthletics_Navy.png&width=31&height=31&type=webp)
Men's Basketball
vs Nevada [Exh]
![Oregon [Exh]](https://images.sidearmdev.com/crop?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdxbhsrqyrr690.cloudfront.net%2Fsidearm.nextgen.sites%2Futahutes.com%2Fimages%2Flogos%2Foregon.png&width=31&height=31&type=webp)
.png&width=31&height=31&type=webp)
.png&width=31&height=31&type=webp)
Utah Hoops Looks Ahead to NBA Draft
6/21/2000 12:00 AM | Men's Basketball
June 21, 2000
SALT LAKE CITY - A big night is approaching for the Utah basketball program on June 28 as seniors Hanno M?tt?l? and Alex Jensen hope to be among those selected in the 2000 NBA Draft at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn. In addition, Ute head coach Rick Majerus will be covering the event as an analyst for TNT.
M?tt?l?, a 6-9 forward from Helsinki, Finland, averaged 17.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game during an injury plagued senior season. After earning preseason All-America honors from Playboy, M?tt?l? missed 11 games with knee, elbow and thumb injuries. He shot 50.0 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from three-point range and 77.4 percent from the free throw line during his career. M?tt?l? left the U. ranking 14th in scoring (1,492 points) and 10th in blocked shots (50).
ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas has listed M?tt?l?, who played primarily as a power forward at Utah, as one of the top five small forwards available in the draft. According to Bilas, "Hanno M?tt?l? has good skills and good size, making him a serviceable NBA player early in his career who could develop into an outstanding pro. M?tt?l? is long, and has very good hands and a soft touch. He is capable of hitting the perimeter shot, and can play facing up or with his back to the basket. M?tt?l? is probably best skilled to be a power forward, but can play on the perimeter as well."
M?tt?l? has been projected as a middle to late first round pick by many of the NBA Draft experts. After working out individually for a roughly a dozen teams in the last month, he is scheduled to work out for the Utah Jazz, which has both the 23rd and 26th picks in the first round, two days before the draft.
While M?tt?l? is almost completely recovered from his rash of injuries, Jensen has been hobbled since early June with a sprained ankle suffered in a pick-up game. Jensen, a 6-8 forward from Centerville, Utah, could go late in second round. Should he be left undrafted, Jensen is expected to get the opportunity to make an NBA team as a free agent.
"He's going to get more than a good look," evaluated New York Knicks consultant Frank Layden. "The key for him is that he get with a good team, that he get with the right team with the right coach who will appreciate his intangibles. He's not going to overpower you, by any means. He's just a very solid player."
Jensen was the 1999-2000 Mountain West Conference Player of the Year, averaging 13.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. He shot 54.2 percent from the field, 46.0 percent from three-point range (52-of-113) and 70.2 percent from the free throw line. Jensen is one of just nine Utes all-time to post 1,000 points and 800 rebounds. He ranks 19th in career scoring (1,279 points) and sixth rebounds (896) at Utah. Jensen also earned the reputation as one of the best defensive players in college game in recent years, capable of defending all five positions on the court.
Should M?tt?l? be taken in the first round of the draft, he would be the fourth Ute to go as high in the last four years. Under the coaching of Majerus, Utah has produced three NBA Draft lottery picks (top 13) in the last three years. Keith Van Horn, who plays for the New Jersey Nets, was taken as the No. 2 pick in 1997. He is the highest NBA Draft pick in the modern era at Utah. Michael Doleac was taken 12th overall by the Orlando Magic in 1998. Andre Miller went eighth to the Cleveland Cavaliers last year. Only Duke produced as many NBA Draft lottery picks during that time span.
Majerus, working the NBA Draft for the fourth consecutive year with TNT, will be joined on the telecast by host Ernie Johnson, NBA analysts Hubie Brown, Kenny Smith, John Thompson and Peter Vecsey, and reporter Craig Sager. TNT's draft coverage will begin at 5:30 p.m. MDT, preceded by a 30-minute preview show at 5:00 p.m. MDT.
Meet the Runnin’ Utes Staff: Erick Schork
Thursday, August 28
Utah Basketball | Team Together - Episode 2
Thursday, August 21
Fan Fest 2025 Coaches and Players Interviews: Men's Basketball
Sunday, August 17
Meet the Runnin’ Utes Staff: Victoria Sun
Wednesday, July 23