JOCKpost Lost & Found: Mark Eaton

Welcome back to our third edition of Lost & Found.

Remember this guy? Mark Eaton was a mammoth in the paint. In fact, it was damn near impossible to get a shot off if you were within 10 feet of him. But does anyone really even remember who he is?

His modest story starts off in an auto repair shop where he was discovered by a Junior College assistant coach who was enamored with Eaton’s height.

With the coach’s encouragement, Eaton joined the Cypruss JC basketball team. He quickly developed a knack for defense and led his team to to the California State Title.

A year later he joined the UCLA Bruins basketball team, but only played a whopping 42 minutes!

With his lack of playing time in college, it surely seemed that his basketball career was over. But the Utah Jazz took a chance on his size alone and drafted him in the fourth round.

He did not disappoint.

Within weeks he was starting in the NBA. In his rookie season he set the Utah Jazz franchise record for blocked shots with 275.

In his second season he blocked 351 shots and led the Jazz in rebounds with 595. His defensive prowress helped the Jazz to their first ever playoff appearance.

In his third season he really broke loose. He shattered the NBA record for blocked shots in a single season with 456. He earned NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Throughout his career he was not known for his offensive abilities. But this was not his calling card — he had John Stockton and Karl Malone on his team. He was one of the most dominating defensive forces in the paint of all time.

He finished his career ranked second in NBA history with just 135 less blocked shots than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (3,189-3,064).

Sure beats fixing cars in an auto shop, doesn’t it?

The only real glory he has recived has been getting his number 53 retired by the Jazz. Utah fans understand his importance and laughed hysterically when guards would try to penetrate the lane, but outside of that state, he is barely known.

Mark Eaton, JOCKpost salutes you.