NEW YORK — Former Gonzaga guard Jalen Suggs was taken fifth overall by the Orlando Magic in the NBA Draft on Thursday night.
Suggs was proud to represent Gonzaga as he walked across the stage for his photo and hat.
"I loved all my time at Gonzaga and I'm thankful for everybody who was a part of that like staff, fans and everyone on the team," he said. "Knowing that I made that transition from Gonzaga and they helped me grow as a player and a person I couldn't be more thankful."
Suggs knows the expectations are high going into a team needing a star player.
"My expectations are always the highest," he said. "If I go in there and achieve what I set out for myself, I know if I do that I'll meet their standards as well."
In his lone season with the Bulldogs, he averaged 14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
Zags fans will forever remember his epic near halfcourt game-winning shot against UCLA in the Final Four last season, which many are calling the greatest shot in Gonzaga history.
The guard was an Associated Press Second Team All-American and a Wooden All-American.
Suggs was named West Coast Conference Newcomer of the Year. He was also WCC Tournament Most Valuable Player, following a clutch performance against BYU in the title game.
At the time of his commitment to Gonzaga, he was the highest ranked recruit to ever commit to the school.
