Summer League 2017

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The Phoenix Suns rookies shined in the first Summer League action against the Sacramento Kings. Josh Jackson put on a show for the Vegas crowd as he scored 18 points while grabbing eight rebounds in his Suns debut.

“I think we are meshing together pretty well,” Jackson said. “I think it’s more important to us than any team here just because we’ve got so many guys on the Summer League team who are actually going to be expected to play major minutes this year. It’s something that we’ve really got to take serious and I think we did.”

Davon Reed shined off the bench in the victory over the Kings, as the 32nd pick in the draft put up 17 points while shooting 50 percent from the arc.

After posting an impressive stat line in their first game, Mike James continued where he left off as the team faced the Dallas Mavericks in their second matchup.

“We wanted to make sure we had a point guard who can help our young guys play better,” Head Coach Earl Watson said. “With Mike, he can settle the team down and take over if he has to.”

James looked as if he couldn’t miss in the first half shooting 85 percent from the field and a perfect four-of-four from the arc. He finished the game with 19 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Marquese Chriss led the way for the Suns against the Rockets with 26 points and seven rebounds in their final preliminary game. Although the Suns lost, Jackson’s constant improvements were what stuck out for Chriss.

“I think Josh is ahead of his learning curve,” Chriss said. “So we’re a little faster than we expected. We’re a little ahead. He’s experienced things that most rookies don’t come to the NBA experiencing. He’s had chances to play in the tournament. He’s a skilled player and I think his game translates to the NBA.”

In just four games, Josh Jackson had put on a show for Suns fans. His performance in the Suns round one victory over the Utah Jazz was no different.

“He’s a gamer,” Coach Marlon Garnett said. “He’s aggressive. Obviously we know what he can do on the defensive end and he’s going to continue to tap into what he can do on the offensive end.”

GM Ryan McDonough Speaks After Suns Round One Victory

The Suns may have entered Round 2 of the Summer League Tournament as the lower seed, but the team fought through adversity and refused to be looked at as a lesser team.

An early loss of Chriss (ankle sprain) left the Suns without their most NBA-experienced player and needed someone to step up and try to fill that void. The Suns did just that as they battled their way back into the game thanks to the scoring efforts of James.

“He’s getting better,” Coach Marlon Garnett said about James. “I think over the course of the week he’s gotten better. We’ve been staying on him and making sure he understands that’s what he needs to be. He has to be a floor general.”

The 26-year-old rookie scored 32 points to go along with his five assists, five rebounds and three steals.

Sideline Sound: Devin Booker Mic'd Up for Summer League

Reed had scored in double-digits in the Suns first five Summer League games and he continued that trend in their finale against the Kings.

“He’s a gamer,” Coach Marlon Garnett said. “He’s a shooter. He’s the typical two-way player that’s going to be great. He defends and he’s going to be able to make shots and make plays and he’s going to continue to get better.”

Jackson finished Summer League averaging 17.4 points, 9.2 rebounds (highest by all top 10 picks), 1.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 1 block per game. He was named to the 2017 All-NBA Summer League First Team.

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2017 Phoenix Suns Summer League Recap

The NBA announced tonight that Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson has been named to the All-NBA Summer League 2017 First Team, as selected by a panel of media members.

Jackson led the Suns with 9.2 rebounds per game (t-5th in Las Vegas) in addition to averaging 17.4 points, 1.6 assists, 1.20 steals and 1.00 blocks. The fourth overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft played in five of the Suns’ six games in Las Vegas, scoring at least 13 points in each of his appearances with two games scoring 20-plus points and one double-double. Jackson had his best statistical performance against Utah on July 12, recording his Summer League highs of 21 points, 15 rebounds and two blocked shots to lead the Suns to a 97-81 victory.

Joining Jackson on the First Team are the Los Angeles Lakers’ Lonzo Ball, Atlanta’s John Collins, Dallas’ Dennis Smith Jr. and Portland’s Caleb Swanigan. The All-NBA Summer League Second Team consists of New Orleans’ Cheick Diallo, San Antonio’s Bryn Forbes, the Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma, Memphis’ Wayne Selden Jr. and Boston’s Jayson Tatum.

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Josh Jackson Named to All-NBA Summer League First Team

Davon Reed had scored in double-digits in the Suns first five Summer League games and Friday night was no different for the rookie.

Reed scored 17 points with four rebounds and three assists in the Suns Summer League finale against the Sacramento Kings. It was his first and only start, but he tied his scoring-high that he first hit when these two teams met one week prior. 

Highlights: Davon Reed Scores 17 vs Kings

The Suns may have fallen to the Kings 93-87, but Davon Reed gave everything he had and left it all on the court after a long week of basketball.

“His development was great and today he was playing injured,” Garnett said. “But I watched him throughout the whole game and he was grimacing, but he didn’t complain one time.”

Garnett continued, stating that Reed provides the team with a “nasty” player that side-by-side with Josh Jackson will bring a new defensive look for the Suns.

“I didn’t go outside of myself,” Reed said. “I just took my opportunities when they presented themselves, knocked down open shots and I felt my defense was my biggest factor for me.”

Highlights: Suns Summer League Finale vs Kings

Mike James joined Reed as the Suns highest scorers for the evening as James scored 25 points to go along with his six rebounds and four assists.

Although the win column from Summer League may not have been as high as hoped, the young team showed growth, maturity and resilience that was invaluable to their development.

“I’m grateful for those young men in there. They worked their tails off,” Garnett said.

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James and Reed Led the Way in Summer Suns Finale

After defeating the Utah Jazz the night before, the Suns advanced to tipoff against the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday night.

An early loss of Marquese Chriss (ankle sprain) left the Suns without their most NBA-experienced player. The Grizzlies quickly took advantage of the situation and went up by double-digits.

“Obviously with him down we were missing a big part of our team,” Josh Jackson said about Chriss. “But the next guy has to step up and we’ve got to just try to all fill that void.”

The Suns did just that as they fought their way back into the game thanks to the scoring efforts of Mike James and Dragan Bender.

Highlights: Mike James Scores 32 Points vs Grizzlies

James hit a three-point jumper with just 21 seconds left in the game to tie it up for the Suns. Although the Grizzlies would follow that up with a make of their own and eventually seal the game, the effort by Phoenix to fight their way back showed a high sense of maturity from such a young team.

“We had a good enough team to win today,” James said. “We played hard enough to win today. Just didn’t go our way.”

Even in the loss, Garnett was proud of the way his team didn’t give up and kept battling until the final whistle.

“Hopefully it stuck,” Garnett said. “Hopefully they’ll keep their heads and we’ll come out and use that same resilience to try to get a win tomorrow.”

The Suns will have one final Summer League game against the Sacramento Kings on Friday night. The Kings were the Suns first matchup in Vegas where Phoenix came up on top 89-85.

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Summer Suns Show Resilience in Battle with Grizzlies

Josh Jackson Round One Highlights vs Jazz

In just four games, Josh Jackson has put on a show for Suns fans. His performance in round one of the Summer League Tournament on Wednesday was no different.

Jackson started off the game on fire scoring eight of the team’s thirteen first quarter points against the Utah Jazz.

The rookie finished the game with 21 points, 15 rebounds and 2 blocks to help lead the Suns to a 97-81 victory.

“He’s got a lot of stuff to his game. He’s able to take over whether it be college or NBA-level,” Marquese Chriss said. “He gets to the cup whenever he wants. He’s getting jumpshots whenever he pleases. So I think that’s really good that he’s developing fast.”

Jackson with Massive Block, Chriss Throws Down the Slam

Jackson showed just how impactful of a defender he can be with a devastating block against Utah’s Julian Wright that led to a fast break throwdown from Chriss.

The Suns came into the game with just ten blocks in their previous three games. Their defensive intensity took another leap as they exceeded that total with 11 against the Jazz.

“I think just playing for each other,” Chriss on the defensive effort. “We start diving on the floor a lot more. We start pressuring the ball. Just playing harder on defense. “

Dragan Bender and Mike James each chimed in with 18 points of their own as the Suns advance to play the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday.

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Josh Jackson Takes Over in Suns Round One Victory

Josh Jackson has shown steady growth throughout the Suns first three Summer League games and seems to be making a smooth transition from his one year in college.

“Coming out the first game I was nervous,” Jackson said. “But I learned that it’s just another basketball game. Just to come out and be myself. Just worry about the things that I can control.”

Summer League allows teams to put their young players on a big stage to learn and expand their games. This is no different than the Suns plan with Jackson.

The 20-year-old rookie put up his highest scoring total on Monday against the Rockets with 20 points to go along with his six rebounds.

Jackson Soars Coast-to-Coast for Fast Break Slam

Jackson appreciates the opportunity to share the court with Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss as he continues to develop an NBA-level skillset.

“They are two guys who have a really high IQ,” Jackson said. “Just being out there they know where to be, how to move, when to pass the ball. I think just being out there and playing with them is definitely taking my IQ level up a little bit.”

Chriss led the way for the Suns against the Rockets with 26 points and seven rebounds. Although the Suns lost, Jackson’s constant improvements were what stuck out for Chriss.

With the preliminary games now wrapped up for the Suns, they will await their seeding for the tournament to determine when their next game is.

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Jackson Shows Constant Growth During Summer League

After posting an impressive stat line in the Suns first Summer League game, Mike James continued where he left off as the team faced the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.

Highlights: Mike James Scores 19 Points vs Mavericks

The 26-year-old was brought in to be a leader and a scorer for the youthful Suns and in their first two games he has fully accepted that role.

Although the Suns would fall to the Mavericks 88-77, rookies James, Josh Jackson and Davon Reed all had standout moments.

Jackson had a rough first half offensively, but turned it on in the second to finish with 15 points and nine rebounds. Reed came off the bench to provide the Suns with 11 points and eight rebounds.

Coach Marlon Garnett hopes that the loss inspires the team to push harder and come out more aggressively in their next game.

“We hope it hurts them,” Garnett said. “Then they use all of that energy for tomorrow’s game. Our guys understand. They know what it takes. They just didn’t bring it today.”

The Summer Suns gear up for their next matchup against the Houston Rockets on Monday.

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Mike James continues to Impress in Game Two of SL

Mike James has been through a long journey since going undrafted in 2012, but after inking his first official NBA contract last week, the point guard looks to provide professional leadership to the Summer Suns.

It’s rare to look to a rookie for leadership, but at 26-years-old and playing professionally overseas for the past five season, James can help mentor players like Dragan Bender (19 years old), Marquese Chriss (20), Josh Jackson (20) and Derrick Jones Jr. (20).

“I’m old for this team,” James said. “I can try to be a leader, a veteran. I’m experienced even though I haven’t played in the NBA. I have some knowledge to give. I’m just trying to go out there and be a pro.”

Head Coach Earl Watson said that James’ veteran experience overseas was a large part of why the Suns brought him onto such a young team.

“We wanted to make sure we had a point guard who can help our young guys play better,” Watson said. “To have a young point guard with a young group of players, it might take away from their ability to improve as a team as the schedule goes on. With Mike, he can settle the team down and take over if he has to.”

James had no problem taking over in the Suns first Summer League game of 2017. He finished the game with 12 points, seven assists and six rebounds in a win over the Sacramento Kings.

Mike James with the Vicious Throwdown vs Kings

“He can play above the rim for his size,” Watson said. “He’s very strong and quick. He’s a very effective scorer. He has this amazing quickness with strength that’s hard to compare to any player.”

This is James’ second time playing for the Suns during Summer League. In 2015, James made his name known to Suns fans after scoring 32 points in the Championship game against the San Antonio Spurs. This made for a homecoming when James signed his contract last week in Phoenix.

“It was good to do it here,” James said. “I had a lot of friends in the organization that I got to know. It’s fun to be here. It’s fun to come to an organization where you already know everybody.”

James and Suns will continue their Summer League action as they gear up to face the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. Catch the action on ESPN.

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James Looks to Provide Veteran Leadership as a Rookie

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