Fun In The Summer League Sun For Suns

Phoenix Sending 10 Players To Showcase

Former UNLV star Anthony Bennett comes to Phoenix with high expectations

It's going to be one of the wildest summer leagues ever for the Phoenix Suns, with no less than 10 players suiting up in the exhibition showcase of youngsters. We won't cover the second year players - only the rookies for now, and let the sophomores say something on the court.

Headlining the team's first year contingent will be #3 overall pick Anthony Bennett, a player many felt was a reach by the Suns due to Jestor fandom. He comes into the league looking quite raw, although scouts have raved about his already superlative handling for a forward and solid inside shot. Some believe he has some of the highest potential in the non-Wiggins category as a shooter and scorer, and a go-to scoring option is something the Suns desperately need.


A streets terrible selfie of Jestor at the Mountain West conference championships

The biggest surprise may have come at #10, with the Suns selecting New Mexico point guard Kendall Williams, who also comes in extremely raw. On the plus side, his basketball intelligence and outside shot are CSL-ready from Day 1, and the above average defensive skills he flashed in the combine proved to be no fluke. While it's not a guarantee that he'll start at point guard, with rumors of Phoenix willing to pay out much of their $27 million cap space warchest to free agent Isiah Thomas, the Suns are hoping KW can develop quickly, given his age and intangibles. Projects to play a combo guard role in his first season unless he breaks out in camp.


Kendall Williams (R) celebrating the 3 point dagger shot that sealed the victory for the Lobos

Jestor, who watched Williams at the Mountain West conference championship, noted of his new point guard at that game, "Displayed beautiful passing ability in the first half and an excellent shooting stroke, and finished with 10 points at the break. 5 of that came on free throws, including a 3 point foul where KW hit all his attempts. In the second half, he was much quieter, but made a brilliant steal, raced down the floor on the fastbreak, and dished off for the easy assist and layup. And of course, at the end, he hit that monster 3 pointer to ice the win. I was impressed with what I saw of him out there, and we're thrilled to make him a Sun."


Leo Westermann is one of the more intriguing players

Taken 35th overall is French national point guard Leo Westermann, who at 6'7 has exceptional length. Ironically enough, he comes in as a more ready floor general than the much higher drafted Williams, thanks to far better handling, but he's also quite raw, and needs time and work on his shooting and defense before he becomes a legitimately worthy contributor. Like with his new teammate, however, he has the intelligence to be a starter at the point right now.


Can Alessandro Gentile prove worthy of his illustrious bloodline?

The son of an Italian basketball great, Alessandro Gentile continued the train of internationals in the 2nd round, picked with the 45th overall selection. Early impressions are that he's one of the best perimeter shooters on the Suns and also has the intelligence to pick his spots best. But he comes in with a lot of development and growth to go, and his handling in particular is so poor that he'll be limited to the 3 until further notice, where he'll battle Royce White for playing time.


Przemek Karnowski might get to cut down the nets this year... in the D-League

Although he played at Gonzaga (making this three Western college players out of three for American collegiate alumni in this draft for Phoenix), the massive Przemek Karnowski is actually Polish-born. So that means the 58th overall selection not only makes it three Western alumni, but also three straight international players drafted in the second round by Phoenix. As you might expect from the third to last pick in the draft, he's so raw that he'll probably play in the D-League this season. Because right now, the only part of his game that scouts rave about is his (stop if you've heard this before about a Jestor pick), basketball intelligence.


Mr. Irrelevant Arsalan Kazemi may not be his nickname after all

Some things to note about Mr. Irrelevant, Arsalan Kazemi, taken with the last pick in the draft:
1. He's the NBA's second Iranian player after Hamed Haddadi
2. He makes it 4 for 4 in international players by the Phoenix Suns in the second round.
3. He also makes it 4 for 4 for West university alumni of the Suns' six selections.

Ironically enough, in some ways, Kazemi is the most ready-now player of the second round picks, as his defense has drawn praise, and is already the second best on the team behind Otto Porter. He's a bit small at 6'8, 225 for the 4, but he also can't play the 3 due to the type of shots he's most comfortable with. Look for him to put on another 10 lbs or so to beef him up and really make him a post player. He'll battle Kelly Olynyk and Colton Iverson for playing time behind Mitch McGary, with Kendrick Perkins currently slated to start at center.

Second Year Players Partaking
SG/SF Otto Porter (#5 pick last year)
PF/CE Mitch McGary (#8 pick last year)
PF/CE Kelly Olynk (#29 pick last year)
PF/CE Colton Iverson(#46 pick last year)

Players Eligible But Not Playing
SF Royce White
PF Mirza Teletovic
PF Donatas Motiejunas

The Phoenix Suns want to see as much time possible going to their first and second year players, particularly the second rounders, to see what they have in them. Otherwise, the team could field a full roster of 13 players and have done with it.

Ten players off your own roster is crazy but there are definitely guys I'm interested to see play. Anthony Bennett is obviously one but I would like to see Kendall Williams and Leo Westermann since they were two guys I scouted.

Nice write up. I believe we got 12/13 players. Hopefully we meet at the Summer league .

Pretty interested to see AB and Kendall playing.

I can only imagine what type of music is playing through those headphones..

Nice read, looking forward to seeing what these guys can do.

I really liked Bennett, though obviously not before Harrison/Randle, which I've been saying.

It'll be interesting to see how he does for sure.