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2015-16 Player Reviews: Eric Bledsoe

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.

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

Eric Bledsoe

Bio: 6-1, 190 pounds, 26 years old

2015-16 Stats: 20.4 ppg, 6.1 apg, 4.0 rpg, 2.0 spg, 45.3 FG%, 37.2 3FG%

Offseason Status: Under contract with Phoenix

Season in Review: Through the first two months of the season, Bledsoe appeared on the verge of becoming the Suns' first All-Star since Steve Nash in 2012. His game-to-game averages in points, assists and steals were all career-highs. An epic offseason of personal improvement and team investment was shining through brilliantly.

For the second time since joining the Suns, however, December decided to deal a cruel blow to Bledsoe's rise among the NBA's best playmakers. The 6-1 guard tore his meniscus, cutting short his career year while drastically reducing the amount of playmaking ability in the Suns' backcourt.

To his credit, Bledsoe continued to remain involved with the team, attending practices and team functions while supporting the younger players who stepped up in his place.

Video Highlight

The Next Step

Bledsoe didn't waste any time tackling his rehabilitation, and the Suns have to be encouraged given his past history. After meniscus surgery in 2014, he played in 81 of 82 games the following season. His daily regime now includes yoga, and Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough said last week that the point guard should be cleared for basketball activity soon.

The Suns are hopeful a new bill of health is accompanied by the vast improvement he showed early this season. His mid-range jumper was particularly lethal, connecting on 45.9 percent of attempts between eight and 16 feet away from the basket. Per NBA.com, Bledsoe shot a scorching 57.5 percent of his pull-up jump shots.

When healthy, Bledsoe is a rare combination of skill, speed and strength. He was one of just four players in the league to average at least 20 points, six assists and two steals per game. The others -- Kyle Lowry, Russell Westbrook and Stephen Curry -- were all All-Stars this season.

Getting that production back will be a huge part of the Suns' moving forward.