PHOENIX SUNS

Maryland’s Alex Len anxious to get to work with Phoenix Suns

Jun 28, 2013, 3:25 AM | Updated: 6:42 am

LISTEN: Jeff Hornacek talks Alex Len

PHOENIX — Potential.

That seems to be the one word that gets associated with Maryland center Alex Len over and over again.

That potential is now property of the Phoenix Suns.

Len, who was the highest-rated player on the team’s draft board, fell to number five where the Suns chose him over Kentucky’s Nerlens Noel and Kansas shooting guard Ben McLemore.

Len, who visited Phoenix June 5, said he knew he was close to the top of the Suns’ player rankings.

“When I was there, they told me,” Len said via conference call from Brooklyn. “I’m really excited, I love the Suns so I’m excited to go there and I can’t wait to start to work.”

There was no hint of disappointment in Len’s voice despite the fact that many experts had him pegged as the number one player in the draft.

“I had no idea, I don’t really pay attention to that kind of stuff,” he said. “I have no control of who selects me, so I’m just trying to be proactive with my rehab and just work hard and get better.”

That rehab is the result of Len undergoing ankle surgery in May for a partial stress fracture — an injury that may have gone undiagnosed, or at least incorrectly diagnosed during his sophomore season at Maryland.

“In August, I’ll be able to do stuff on the court and the doctors tell me I’ll be cleared to play in October, so I’ll be fine to play in training camp.”

Len averaged 11.9 points and 7.8 rebounds for a Maryland team that went 25-13 last season. The numbers weren’t earth-shattering, which brings us back to that potential. Len believes his game is better-suited to the pro level.

“I think that the NBA has the best coaches, I can’t wait to start working with them,” the 20-year-old said. “And it’s also better spacing — I’m going to have more room to work on the block in the post.

“I’m also excited to play with Goran Dragic, he is a great player and has great vision on the floor and he likes to play at a high tempo so I think that fits my game well.”

Len came to Maryland from the Ukraine, where the annual average temperature is only 46 degrees. So how does the Suns’ newest player feel about coming to the Valley, where the temperatures will exceed 115 degrees when he arrives in town Friday?

“I like the sun, so I’m happy to go there.”

Hope you like it a lot, Alex.

Phoenix Suns

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

8 hours ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

12 hours ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

16 hours ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: How the Suns lost to the Spurs before they stepped on the court

Burns & Gambo react to the Phoenix Suns stunning loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and try to figure out why it happened.

2 days ago

Maryland’s Alex Len anxious to get to work with Phoenix Suns