After two rather average and above all frustrating first campaigns, Jalen Suggs exploded during his third campaign in Orlando, notably establishing himself as a pest on defense.
Enough to push the Magic not to keep Markelle Fultz, and not to hire any other leader on the market, in order to give the former Gonzaga as much responsibility for the position as possible. With even more of the ball in hand, the 23-year-old should logically see his offensive responsibilities increase further this season.
“It’s something I wanted since the day I came into this league”, explains the person concerned to the Orlando Sentinel. “I wasn’t prepared for this (before). I wasn't ready. God knew it and he slowed me down with the injuries and the rough patches and the trials, and he really tested my resolve and how much I wanted to be here. And I want to be here. I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
An agreement by October 21?
Like his companions in the 2021 Draft (Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes or his teammate Franz Wagner), the 5th choice of the vintage is also eligible for a contract extension, until October 21.
And he hopes to sign it, while his leaders seem to be in the same state of mind…
“Jalen is an important part of what we do and everyone knows it”explains Jeff Weltman, the president of the club. “In relation to the person he is, in relation to the player he is, and I always have hope that we can find common ground. We have excellent relations with its representatives. I know Jalen wants to be a part of the Magic. He’s an integral part of the chemistry and the team, on and off the field.”
| Jalen Suggs | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | ENT | 48 | 27 | 36.1 | 21.4 | 77.3 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 3.6 | 4.4 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 3.0 | 0.4 | 11.8 |
| 2022-23 | ENT | 53 | 24 | 41.9 | 32.7 | 72.3 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 2.9 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 9.9 |
| 2023-24 | ENT | 75 | 27 | 47.1 | 39.7 | 75.6 | 0.6 | 2.4 | 3.1 | 2.7 | 2.7 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 12.6 |
| Total | 176 | 26 | 42.2 | 33.3 | 75.3 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 11.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
