Jalen Sugg’s Summer League journey with the Orlando Magic has come to an end. Suggs has suffered a thumb sprained thumb and will be out for the rest of the games as a precautionary measure. He got injured when he fell to the ground during the Orlando Magic vs Boston Celtics game on Thursday.
Fortunately for Suggs, the injury took place early in the pre-season. The Magic rookie will be ready for training camp later after adequate recovery and the injury shouldn’t affect his play.
Jalen Suggs’ high school career
Jalen Suggs attended Minnehaha Academy and averaged 21.5 points, eight rebounds, and five assists per game as a freshman. Scoring 22 points, including 15 in the second half, he won the Class 2A state championship over Crosby-Ironton High School. He averaged 16 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game and led his team to another state title in his sophomore year. Suggs was named AP All-State 1st team in his sophomore year and MaxPreps Freshman All-American 1st team as a freshman.
Winning a third straight state championship, Suggs averaged 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game as a junior. He averaged 23.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, five assists and 3.9 steal as a senior. His 2019–20 season was cut short due to COVID-19 a day he won a section title. He got selected to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic, and Nike Hoop Summit as well.
Besides basketball, Suggs played the quarterback for SMB Wolfpack of Minnehaha Academy. He is the first athlete to win the state’s Mr Basketball and Mr Football awards in the same season in Minnesota history.
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College career and NBA Draft
Jalen Suggs committed to Gonzaga University on 3rd January 2020 and played college basketball for the Bulldogs. He was the highest-ranked player in the program at the time. In his Gonzaga debut, he scored 24 points and eight assists in a 102–90 win over Kansas. Suggs scored 23 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists on March 9, 2021, in a WCC Tournament title game win over BYU.
Averaging 14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game, he was a consensus second-team All-American as a freshman. He also earned All-Freshman Team honours.
INJURY UPDATE:
During the first half against Boston yesterday, @OrlandoMagic guard @jalensuggs suffered an injury to his left thumb. An MRI conducted today confirmed a left thumb sprain.As a precautionary measure, Suggs will be sidelined for the remainder of NBA Summer League.
— Orlando Magic PR (@Magic_PR) August 13, 2021
Suggs decided to enter the 2021 NBA Draft on 19th April 2021 forgoing his remaining college eligibility. He was drafted 5th overall by the Orlando Magic. In his Summer League debut, he posted 24 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals in a win against Golden State Warriors. He performed very well till the point of his Summer League injury. The Magic expects Suggs to be the dynamic guard they long for since Tracy McGrady.
Suggs sprains his thumb and is likely to miss Summer League
The team announced Suggs has been diagnosed with a sprained thumb and will be held out of the remaining Summer League. The incident happened during the game against Boston last Thursday. He is out of the summer league as Suggs’ absence during the regular season would cause a slew of issues for new head coach Jamahl Mosley.
Around Suggs, Orlando has some intriguing young talent, including Jonathan Isaac, Markelle Fultz, and Wendell Carter Jr. Their continued development will determine how long it takes the franchise to return to the playoffs.
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