OKC Thunder NBA draft profile: Rookie PG with vet skills -Jalen Suggs

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OKC Thunder draft prospect series: Jalen Suggs #1 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Analysts deemed four players as the definitive upper tier of the 2021 NBA Draft class with point guard Jalen Suggs among that quartet. Like the trio Intentions previously profiled, the OKC Thunder won’t have access to the youngster unless they make a deal with a team in the top four.

The Gonzaga point guard has been placed as high as second within that group but more recently dropped down given the other Jalen (Green) moving up the ladder.

Suggs led the Bulldogs who brought an unbeaten record into March Madness. The perfect season alluded Gonzaga as the Baylor Bears beat them in the final match. Yet, that dream was only kept alive because the Minnesota native hit an overtime hail Mary 3-pointer versus UCLA in their Final Four game.

The 6’4″ Suggs enters the draft with experts already comparing him to Hall of Fame point guards and predicting his leadership qualities will transfer easily to the pros.

OKC Thunder draft prospect profile for Jalen Suggs:

Specifics:

Height: 6’4″
Weight: 205 pounds
Wingspan: 6’6″
Position: Guard
Birthdate/Age: June 6, 2001 – 20 years
College: Gonzaga, freshman
Stat line: 14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.9 steals
Home Town: St. Paul, Minnesota

Box Score Statistics:

Per Game Table
Season	G	MP	FG	FG%	2PA	2P%	3PA	3P%	FTA	FT%	TRB	AST	STL	PTS
2020-21	30	28.9	5.2	.503	6.8	.588	3.5	.337	3.8	.754	5.3	4.5	1.9	14.4

Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 7/11/2021.

Current Ranking:

Most mock drafts have Suggs going with the fourth pick to the Toronto Raptors. However, the youngster might move up to third given the recent rumors in Cleveland. Specifically, Collin Sexton wants to receive a max contract which would hamstring the Cavaliers’ flexibility, and more accurately the young guard is likely better suited as a Sixth Man which wouldn’t warrant him receiving a max contract.

The other reality in Cleveland is they added Jarrett Allen via trade this past season and have a wealth of big men already on the roster. Although the Cavs say they can make it work with both Evan Mobley and Allen since neither spreads the court that option seems unlikely which opens the door for Suggs to be selected third and Sexton to be traded.

With that let’s dive a little deeper into Suggs to determine his strengths and weaknesses.

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