Orlando, FL — Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, the league announced today. He becomes the first Orlando player since 2011-12 (Dwight Howard) to be named to either the NBA All-Defensive First or Second Team.
Suggs (6’5”, 212, 6/3/01) played and started in 75 regular season games this season with Orlando, averaging 12.6 ppg., 3.1 rpg., 2.7 apg. and a team-high 1.41 stlpg. in 27.0 minpg., while shooting .397 (153-385) from three-point range. He was tied for eighth in the NBA in steals and tied for 12th in steals-to-turnover ratio (0.80, 106/132). Suggs recorded at least one steal 57 times and two-or-more steals 31 times, including a career-high six steals on Nov. 9 vs. Atlanta. He also had at least one blocked shot 35 times and two-or-more blocks 11 times, including a career-high-tying three blocked shots on Jan. 12 @ Miami.
Suggs led (or tied) the team in scoring five times, in rebounding twice and in assists eight times. He scored in double figures 53 times and 20+ points 11 times, including a career-high 27 points on Jan. 5 @ Denver. Suggs also played and started in seven playoff games, averaging 14.7 ppg., 5.1 rpg., 3.3 apg. and 1.29 sltpg. in 33.2 minpg.
Originally selected in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2021 NBA Draft by Orlando, Suggs has played in 176 career NBA regular season games (139 starts), all with Orlando, averaging 11.5 ppg., 3.2 rpg., 3.2 apg. and 1.32 stlpg. in 26.0 minpg.
Prior to being drafted, Suggs played and started in 30 games during his only season (2020-21) at Gonzaga University, averaging 14.4 ppg., 5.3 rpg., 4.5 apg. and 1.90 stlpg. in 29.0 minpg., while shooting .503 (155-308) from the floor. He was a consensus All-America Second Team selection, named to the 2020-21 All-West Coast Conference First Team, the WCC Newcomer of the Year and the 2021 WCC Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Suggs was also one of five finalists for the 2020-21 Bob Cousy Award, given to the nation’s top point guard, as well as one of five finalists for the 2020-21 USWBA National Freshman of the Year award. He led the Bulldogs to a 31-1 record, with their only loss coming to Baylor in the 2021 NCAA Championship game. Suggs hit a game-winning three-pointer from just beyond halfcourt as time expired on Apr. 3 vs. UCLA in the 2021 NCAA Final Four.
