Gonzaga star Jalen Suggs declares for 2021 NBA Draft

Standout Gonzaga guard and probable top-five pick Jalen Suggs has opted to enter the 2021 NBA Draft and will forgo his remaining college eligibility, he announced Monday on ESPN’s "The Jump" (link via Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com).

As a freshman on a star-studded Zags squad, Suggs put up relatively modest scoring numbers compared to other top prospects, ranking third on his team with 14.4 points per game.

However, Suggs filled up the box score with 5.3 RPG, 4.5 APG and 1.9 SPG to go along with a .503/.337/.761 shooting line in 30 games (28.9 MPG), and he had some memorable moments during Gonzaga’s run to the NCAA title game, including a game-winning overtime buzzer-beater in the team’s Final Four matchup against UCLA. He was voted a consensus Second Team All-American.

Suggs is part of the top tier of 2021 prospects, currently ranking third on ESPN’s big board. In his scouting report, Mike Schmitz notes that Suggs is a bit of a streaky shooter and has average length relative to his height, but he says that he’s already a mature decision-maker and a tough defender.

While they’re awaiting draft decisions from some of their other key players, the Bulldogs may not miss a beat as Suggs departs, having secured a commitment from No. 1 high school recruit Chet Holmgren.