Gonzaga Basketball: Meet Jalen Suggs the Zags newest superstar
Teresa Powe
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Jalen Suggs is Gonzaga basketball’s newest sensation. He could very well be the piece they need to take them all the way to the top this year.
Jalen Suggs is a sensational two-way five-star basketball player who leaves it all out there on the court. He is the highest-ranked high school recruit to ever wear the Gonzaga uniform. A team player, Jalen is ready, willing, and able to help the Bulldogs win it all this year.
Last winter, On ESPN2, during a game between Minnehaha and Park Center high schools, Jalen revealed what college he was committing to. At half-time and in dramatic fashion, Jalen opened his school jacket to reveal a Gonzaga “Zags Up” tee-shirt. When asked why Gonzaga, Suggs replied:
To me personally Mark Few is the best coach in the country. He’s got that winning mentality just like I do. He’s a great competitor. What he does with his players and his point guards, I believe, going in there with that system, I can truly grow and develop as a player.
The Team Player
It didn’t take long for Suggs to get into the flow. He scored his first college points within the first 39 seconds of the Kansas game. Unfortunately, he got his first technical also. Maybe it was the excitement, maybe it was just Jalen Suggs. He’s used to being the big scorer and leading his team. That’s what he did in high school. From the basketball court to the football field, Suggs made it his mission to be a winner.
Gonzaga has a very special player in this Jalen Suggs for several reasons. First, Suggs is an unselfish player. In his first two games for the Bulldogs, over 49 minutes he contributed 36 points, eight rebounds, and 14 assists. There is no ball hog here. He’s not playing for himself. Second, Suggs is an intelligent player who sees plays before they happen and he’s right more times than he is wrong. Third, the young man from the Twin Cities gelled into Gonzaga’s system as though he’s a senior who’s been playing with the team for years.
Making Believers
Suggs does it all. From catching lobs from teammate Joel Ayayi to putting his body in harm’s way to make a play. He’s fast, will steal the ball and score, or send his teammates passes with speed and precision. He is respected by his teammates. Zags big man Drew Timme described his freshman teammate as “the real deal” in an Especially Sports interview:
He’s a great guy to be around. On the court, he is the real deal. People should buy into the hype and a lot of people have hyped him and were like ‘well, is he the real deal’. He is the real deal and he is going to be a huge part of our success this year for sure.
Mark Few certainly believes in him. The Zags coach made Suggs the starting point guard for both games so far. Almost as important, Few has him finishing games as well. The Bulldogs have some outstanding players but in Jalen Suggs, they may have added the piece that will take them over the top, to their first NCAA championship.
Please post your views on freshman phenom Jalen Suggs in the comments below!