Jazz Take UI’S Dickens

When Kaniel Dickens declared himself eligible for the draft in early May, a member of the NBA scouting office barely raised an eyebrow.

“Kaniel who?”

shrugged the official, who requested anonymity.

About seven weeks later, the Utah Jazz not only know Kaniel’s last name, they made the former Idaho Vandal forward their second-round draft pick.

Dickens was the 50th overall selection Wednesday. He’s the first Vandal to be drafted since Brian Kellerman went to Houston in the seventh round of the 1983 draft.

That chuckling sound you might be hearing is coming from Dickens, who watched the draft with 30 friends and relatives at his parents’ home in Denver.

“I had a lot of belief in myself, that’s one of the main things that kept me going throughout the whole situation,” Dickens said. “I got the last laugh and it felt good.

“I still have a lot of jokes to tell, so there’s going to be a lot of laughter to come.”

Dickens worked out for the Jazz last Friday, one of numerous workouts set up by his agent Ben Pensack.

“They told me he was extremely athletic and very talented,” Pensack said. “We’re a little surprised he didn’t go higher, but it’s still an accomplishment to get drafted.”

Pensack said Dickens will play on Utah’s summer-league team. The agent expects contract talks to begin with Utah in July.

“We knew he was good enough the whole time,” Pensack said. “Other people wanted to doubt it, but he’s going to go to Utah and be an excellent player.”

The 6-foot-8 Dickens was hot and cold at Idaho. He connected on 38.2 percent of his 3-pointers and averaged 12.1 points last season. However, he occasionally disappeared or seemed uninterested in games.

In early May, Dickens sent a highlight tape to Pensack, who forwarded it to several NBA teams.

“The first thing that made me believe in him was the reference I received from (former Vandal) Shawn Dirden, who I also represent,” Pensack said. “I know talent. I’m not some agent who doesn’t know basketball. This guy is an NBA player.”

An NBA player who will compete in practice against the likes of Jazz forward Karl Malone.

“I’m happy to be playing with Karl and John Stockton,” Dickens said. “They’re two of the greatest players ever.”

Utah selected DeShawn Stevenson, a guard from Fresno, Calif., in the first round.