Is this not, by far, the best combo of athlete/basketball in today's college hoops? [So was Jordan in his soph year]
One thing you might have overlooked?
Look at the frame on this young freshman.
Man, that is a man's man at 19 years old.
Here is more news I never thought would happen. I assumed he would play one more year and team up with his pal, 7-ft. Slenderman next year?
Guess not?
This news: The Zags have had a senior leader for what feels like forever now. They've had talented rosters for 20-plus years. They've had a handful of players who were talented enough to leave early for the NBA, too. This year though, they have all of that at the same time. And the pieces comprising Gonzaga's puzzle are better than normal.
Suggs would be playing in the NBA this season if the league's rules allowed for players to do so straight out of high school. He made that very clear just 30 seconds into his first collegiate game by slamming down an alley-oop dunk against then No. 6-ranked Kansas and has shown it all season long with an ever-growing list of jaw-dropping passes. He's a pro in a college uniform.
Even after he committed to Gonzaga last January, in a ceremony aired live on ESPN2, there was a real possibility he could be lured overseas by a lucrative one-year professional contract. Instead of taking the money, he stayed true to his word and came to Gonzaga. Every year a handful of elite recruits choose to play overseas or in the NBA's developmental league, which allows players who are coming straight out of high school. A ton more choose to leave college early to play for a paycheck. Gonzaga's got two who did the opposite.
Much like Kispert's bet on himself this past offseason, Suggs' decision to come to Gonzaga has paid off.
Despite taking incredibly different paths to get here, these two players have become among the biggest names in all of college basketball. There's a very good chance they'll both have their names listed among the first 10 picks in the next NBA draft.
Until then, though, this one-and-done freshman and fourth-year senior will continue to help push Gonzaga to new heights.
One thing you might have overlooked?
Look at the frame on this young freshman.
Man, that is a man's man at 19 years old.Here is more news I never thought would happen. I assumed he would play one more year and team up with his pal, 7-ft. Slenderman next year?
Guess not?
This news: The Zags have had a senior leader for what feels like forever now. They've had talented rosters for 20-plus years. They've had a handful of players who were talented enough to leave early for the NBA, too. This year though, they have all of that at the same time. And the pieces comprising Gonzaga's puzzle are better than normal.
Suggs would be playing in the NBA this season if the league's rules allowed for players to do so straight out of high school. He made that very clear just 30 seconds into his first collegiate game by slamming down an alley-oop dunk against then No. 6-ranked Kansas and has shown it all season long with an ever-growing list of jaw-dropping passes. He's a pro in a college uniform.
Even after he committed to Gonzaga last January, in a ceremony aired live on ESPN2, there was a real possibility he could be lured overseas by a lucrative one-year professional contract. Instead of taking the money, he stayed true to his word and came to Gonzaga. Every year a handful of elite recruits choose to play overseas or in the NBA's developmental league, which allows players who are coming straight out of high school. A ton more choose to leave college early to play for a paycheck. Gonzaga's got two who did the opposite.
Much like Kispert's bet on himself this past offseason, Suggs' decision to come to Gonzaga has paid off.
Despite taking incredibly different paths to get here, these two players have become among the biggest names in all of college basketball. There's a very good chance they'll both have their names listed among the first 10 picks in the next NBA draft.
Until then, though, this one-and-done freshman and fourth-year senior will continue to help push Gonzaga to new heights.
