NBA Comparison: Jason Kidd/DeAaron Fox

Strengths: Lead guard with great leadership, toughness and physical attributes to be a stand out on both ends at the next level … With his insane athleticism, Suggs can turn any miss into a coast-to-coast layup … He has great feel for when to attack the basket, and a strong mix of dribble moves allows him to blow past defenders … Very decisive in the open court, and has the ability to outclass many opponents with his quickness and elusiveness  but can also bully his way for easy baskets … Understands when to shoot and when to move the ball to a teammate … Tremendous shot selection with regard to the modern NBA, as almost 85% of his attempts came at the rim or behind the arc … Rarely takes mid-range shots, in part because he can so easily get to the rim … Solid finisher, with a field goal percentage of 64% around the rim … Scored 14.4 points per game, but could increase that if allowed to take over in more games, as the offense was often run through Timme … Averaged 5.6 rebounds per game, and fights well for boards … Boxes out well…His tremendous build and 6’4 height bring versatility on both ends of the court … Great versatility. While more comfortable running the offense, Suggs is capable of playing shooting guard, especially with how well he can move without the basketball and would figure to pair well with an undersized off guard … Defensively, he can play either guard spot, as his length, quickness and strength help him take on larger players … Reads the game at an elite level on both offense and defense … Particularly as a help defender, Suggs excels at understanding what the offense is running, and where to position himself in order to limit the chance of an easy bucket … Smart and decisive on when to double, help or go for steals, and is rarely caught making the wrong play defensively … Also excellent at forcing turnovers, averaging 1.9 steals per game…Is one of the most clutch players in college basketball, most notably draining a buzzer-beating three just steps past half court to defeat UCLA in the Final Four … The former five-star recruit also led the team in assists with 4.5 per game, showcasing his willingness and ability to share the ball …

Weaknesses: The most glaring weakness for the star freshman is his inconsistency shooting from behind the arc and at the free throw line … Shot just 33.7% from three and 76.1% from the charity stripe … While not impossible to see him becoming a reliable shooter, he has some work to do in order to become more capable, especially as shooting has become gold in the NBA … While smart defensively, Suggs can sometimes lose focus on the ball, and get beat by simple moves, like change of pace toward the basket … Because of his immense talent, it is easy to forget that Suggs was a freshman, but that certainly was exemplified by his turnovers … At almost three per game, that number needs to come down in order for him to be a truly efficient point guard …Playing at Gonazaga, Suggs played a weaker conference schedule than other top prospects… It is not his fault his team was almost always significantly more talented, but Suggs and Gonzaga were rarely challenged throughout the season … They played numerous games against top-25 teams, suffering a loss only to Baylor in the championship game, but the West Coast Conference was simply too easy for the Zags, and for Suggs … It will be a huge jump in competition for Suggs, with what was mostly an easy schedule in college …

Notes: Suggs measured 6’3 barefoot, 6’4 in shoes, 194 lbs, with a 6’5 wingspan, and a 8’3 standing reach in mid 2018 …Suggs was the highest ever recruit to play for Gonzaga … Won three gold medals with Team USA for the U19 and U17 FIBA World Cup and the U16 Americas FIBA Championship … Was a consensus second-team All-American, and a finalist for multiple awards including the Bob Cousy award for the Nation’s top point guard. In highschool, Suggs was a tremendous quarterback, and was the first person in Minnesota to win the Mr. Football and Mr. Basketball awards in the same year, in addition to winning the MaxPreps Male Athlete of the Year award … Originally given to Dominique Wilkins, was dubbed a “human highlight reel”, due to his impressive above the rim ability …

Michael Hopp 6/11/21

NBA Comparison: Jason Kidd

Strengths: 6’5 point guard … Creates offense and scoring opportunities for himself. Can get to the rim against a set defense and doesn’t need triple threat to beat the defense. Finished 6^th in scoring with 17.8 points per game over the Under Armour Association in 2017, averaged 13.6 points per game at 47.4% FG% in 2018, and finished 2^nd in scoring with 20.2 points per game at 52.5% FG% in 2019. Averaged 9.6 points per game at the U19 World Cup in 2019 … Good strength and build … Quick first step and a fearless driver. Attacks the rim with aggression and adjusts his layups in the air. Plays physical. Initiates contact and draws fouls at a high rate. Shot a 3^rd most 8 free throws per game over the Under Armour Association in 2017, shot 5.3 free throws per game in 2018, and shot a 2^nd most 8.1 free throws per game in 2019. Shot a reliable 79% FT% over the Under Armour Association in 2019. Shot 83.3% FT% at the U16 Americas Championship in 2017 … Good ball handler under pressure and changes directions well. Drives and handles well going left or right … Solid passing ability. Finished 6^th in assists with 4.9 per game over the Under Armour Association in 2018 and a 2^nd most 5.5 assists to 1.8 turnovers per game in 2019 … Consistently competes on defense. Puts pressure on the ball and jumps passing lanes very well. Averaged 2.5 steals per game over the Under Armour Association in 2017, averaged 1.7 per game in 2018, and led the league with 1.5 steals per game in 2019. Averaged a steal per game at the U16 Americas Championship in 2017. Averaged a 4^th most 3.3 steals per game at the U17 World Cup in 2018. Averaged a 6^th most 2.4 steals per game at the U19 World Cup in 2019 … Good rebounder for position. Averaged 6.4 rebounds per game over the Under Armour Association in 2017 and 6 per game in 2019 …

Weaknesses: Scoring against greater length at the next levels may be an obstacle as well as consistently finding ways to score … Although form isn’t bad, he can improve as a 3PT shooter and sometimes he’s too quick with the trigger. Shot 31.6% 3PT% over the Under Armour Association in 2017, shot 30.3% 3PT% in 2018, and shot 33.3% 3PT% in 2019. Shot 30% 3PT% at the U16 Americas Championship in 2017. Shot 20% 3PT% at the U17 World Cup in 2018. Shot 25% 3PT% at the U19 World Cup in 2019 … Passing and playmaking is solid but isn’t highly advanced. High assist count but doesn’t show a lot of advanced reads or court vision. Picks up his dribble early at times … Solid all around but doesn’t have a specific area where he stands out …

Outlook: Won Gold at the U16 Americas Championship in 2017, U17 World Cup in 2018, and U19 World Cup in 2019 … Played in the 2018 Underclassman All-American Game …

Notes: Suggs measured 6’3 barefoot, 6’4 in shoes, 194 lbs, with a 6’5 wingspan, and a 8’3 standing reach in mid 2018 … Was named both Mr Football and Mr. Basketball in the State of Minnesota as a Senior … Turned down scholarship offers to play QB at both Ohio State and Notre Dame …

Evan Tomes 12/12/19