Jalen Suggs: The other No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft

NBA Draft prospect Jalen Suggs (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)
NBA Draft prospect Jalen Suggs (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)
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Jalen Suggs
NBA Draft prospect Jalen Suggs (James Snook-USA TODAY Sports)

Playmaking

Even though he’s a tremendous scorer and shooter, Suggs is also a fantastic passer as well on the offensive end of the floor. Once a highly-touted high school quarterback recruit, Suggs was named the Mr. Football for the state of Minnesota in 2019 and even was recruited by schools like Ohio State, Minnesota, Iowa, Iowa State, and Nebraska to come to play on the gridiron.

Well, those passing skills and vision extended from the football field to the hardwood for Suggs, as he makes plays effortlessly for others. I’ve already gone over a little bit how Suggs makes plays in transition, as you’d expect from a former quarterback he always has his eyes up, deciphering the holes in the defense trying to get back in transition and rewards teammates who get up and go in the open floor.

Suggs dime of a pass, throws a laser in transition
Suggs dime of a pass, throws a laser in transition

But he’s equally as dangerous in the halfcourt. He’s a maestro in pick and rolls who can make decisive, quick decisions while having the vision to deceive defenders and disguise passing lanes. Suggs will constantly make great use of rollers, forcing the defense to not just sell out on him off the screens and has phenomenal no-look and bounce passes in his arsenal at his disposal.

Suggs beautiful bounce pass to Ayayi on back cut for reverse finish
Suggs beautiful bounce pass to Ayayi on back cut for reverse finish
Suggs decision making in PnR, quick, decisive, accurate pass to Timme on the roll for the and one finger roll
Suggs decision making in PnR, quick, decisive, accurate pass to Timme on the roll for the and one finger roll