Posted: July 25, 2012
The Phoenix Suns today announced that the club has re-signed free agent guard Shannon Brown.
“Shannon was a valuable member of our team last season, especially during the second half of the season when we were at our best,” said Suns President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby. “We look for his improved play to continue.”
Brown, who signed a one-year deal with the Suns on Dec. 10, 2011, is a six-year NBA veteran who had his best statistical season as a pro with Phoenix in 2011-12. A 6-4, 210-pound guard, Brown is coming off a campaign in which he averaged a career-high 11.0 points, career-best 2.7 rebounds and career-high 23.7 minutes in 59 games (career-high 19 starts).
A productive reserve for most of the season, the 26-year-old Brown moved into a starting role for the final 17 games of 2011-12 as the Suns battled injuries. Brown, who had never averaged double-digit scoring before joining the Suns, responded by posting 15.6 points as a starter down the stretch, shooting 40.2 percent from three-point range, and helping to keep the Suns in the playoff hunt. Despite a shortened 66-game slate, Brown registered a single-season career high 33 double-digit scoring efforts, and posted five 20-point efforts with Phoenix (59 games) after joining the Suns with six in his career (256 games).
Brown owns career averages of 7.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 315 games (35 starts) with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2006-08) Chicago Bulls (2007-08), Charlotte Bobcats (2008-09), Los Angeles Lakers (2009-11) and Suns. The Michigan State product, who was selected 25th overall (first round) in the 2006 NBA Draft by Cleveland, and has averaged a career high in scoring in each of the last three seasons.