Zags’ freshman will pursue pro career with agent

SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga freshman Jalen Suggs has declared for the NBA Draft. He will pursue a professional career with the representation of an agent.
 
“I will be entering my name into the NBA Draft and signing with an agency,” Suggs said. “I’m very excited and I can’t wait to take this next step in my journey. It’s something that I’ve dreamed about since I was a little kid. Gonzaga will always be family to me. From the day these guys started recruiting me, they were straight and up front. They treated me like I was one of their own. Like I was part of their family from day one. Over the years the Gonzaga coaches have done a great job of developing their guys and getting them better. That’s exactly what they’ve done with me. Coming to Gonzaga was one of the best decisions I ever made. I want to thank Coach Few and the entire GU staff for sharing their knowledge of the game. My teammates, my brothers, I cannot thank them enough. I will always be proud to be a Zag!”
 
Suggs was a finalist for the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award. He was named a Wooden All-American, and second team All-American by the Associated Press, NABC and USBWA. He averaged 14.37 points per game, at 50.3 percent shooting from the field. He was second in the West Coast Conference steals per game (1.90), third in assists per game (4.53) and eighth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.55). He was named the WCC Freshman of the Week 10 times this season.
 
Suggs was named the league’s Player of the Week after scoring a season-high 27 points in a win over then-ranked No. 3 Iowa. The West Saint Paul, Minn., native, scored in double digits 22 times, dished out at least five assists in 16 games and made three or more steals in eight games. Following the regular season, he was named First Team All-WCC and the conference’s Newcomer of the Year.
 
“We are all extremely excited for Jalen as he takes the next step in his career and in life,” Gonzaga Head Coach Mark Few said. “He has been an absolute joy to have in our program and our basketball family, and I have been blessed to be able to coach him and watch his development this past year. He comes from a very special family and we look forward with them to watching Jalen at the next level.”
 
After helping Gonzaga make a run to the national championships, Suggs was named All-NCAA Tournament Team. He was also tabbed to the All-West Regional Team in the tournament.

COURTESY GONZAGA ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS