With the fifth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic have selected PG/SG Jalen Suggs out of Gonzaga. After Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, and Evan Mobley were the first three consecutive picks, the Magic was guaranteed to either get Suggs or defensive standout Scottie Barnes. Ultimately, Toronto decided to go with Barnes, leaving Suggs for Orlando to take at No. 5. There’s no doubt that Suggs has one of the most balanced offensive games in this draft class. Suggs did a little bit of everything in his final season at Gonzaga, averaging 14.4 PPG, 5.3 RPG, and 4.5 APG in 28.9 MPG. Suggs also shot the ball quite well, going 50.3% from the field and 33.7% from downtown. He didn’t shy away from the big moments, either, as he hit one of the most clutch game-winning shots to send Gonzaga to the National Championship game.
Even as a Freshman, Suggs still racked up plenty of career accolades while etching his name in Gonzaga’s history books. Suggs earned the West Coast Conference (WCC) Newcomer of the Year Award, the WCC Tournament Most Outstanding Player Award, and made it onto the WCC All-Tournament Team after leading Gonzaga to a 26-0 regular-season record. More importantly, Suggs shined in College Basketball’s biggest spotlight in March Madness. Suggs played a major role in Gonzaga making it to the National Championship, specifically with his game-winning three-pointer that propelled the Zags over UCLA in the final four. While Suggs’ play style could clash with Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony, Suggs was the right pick for the Magic.