With the 2015-16 season concluded, Suns.com takes a look at each individual player heading into the summer. We’ll include a look back at some of his best highlights, his season in general, and what could lie in store heading into next year. A new player review will be revealed each weekday in alphabetical order. The player names listed below will become clickable links as each one’s review is published. Feel free to comment below to give your own take!
MORE REVIEWS: Eric Bledsoe | Devin Booker | Chase Budinger | Tyson Chandler | Archie Goodwin | John Jenkins | Brandon Knight | Alex Len | Jon Leuer | Ronnie Price | Mirza Teletovic | PJ Tucker | TJ Warren | Alan Williams
Alex Len
Bio: 7-1, 260 pounds, 22 years old
2015-16 Stats: 9.0 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 0.8 bpg
Offseason Status: Under contract with Phoenix
Season in Review: In a season riddled with injuries, the player who was most beset by them at the start of his career played all but four games this season. Alex Len's feet, which underwent surgery during the summer of 2013, held up and then some, allowing the 22-year-old to develop on the court.
His progress was especially visible after the All-Star break, a period in which he averaged 13.0 points and 10.3 rebounds per contest. He showed improvement in his post-up game as well as his mid-range jumper, especially in a 26-point, 13-rebound performance against the Golden State Warriors on March 12.
Injuries to his teammates, including center Tyson Chandler, forced Len's role to change throughout the season. He started 46 of his 78 games this season, including several alongside Chandler toward the end of the year. With few offensive threats left healthy, defenses loaded up on Len, who matched his rookie-season shooting clip of 42.3 percent after hitting 50.7 percent in 2014-15.
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The Next Step
Len's offensive efficiency will take a natural uptick with healthy point guards setting him up. He missed that with Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight missing large chunks of the season. Still, the Suns are hoping to see even better decision-making when he goes to work himself, especially in the low post.
Len could increase his defensive presence after seeing his blocks-per-game average nearly cut in half. Per NBA.com, his defensive assignments this season shot better in every area on the court compared to 2014-15, leaving Len the task of buttoning up the balance between man and help defense.
Len is only 22 years old after three seasons in the league, still younger than some of the prospects who will enter the NBA Draft this summer. He is also one of the most dedicated gym rats on the team, something that should serve him well as he familiarizes himself with new Head Coach Earl Watson and his system. Don't be surprised to see noticeable growth from him next season.