Phoenix Suns select Alex Oriakhi with No. 57 overall pick
Jun 28, 2013, 4:57 AM | Updated: 4:58 am
The Phoenix Suns bolstered their front line with the selection of Alex Len in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft.
But Ryan McDonough and Co. went a step further with their final selection Thursday night, taking Missouri forward Alex Oriakhi with the No. 57 overall pick.
Oriakhi, who averaged 11.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game his senior season, played three years at Connecticut (2009-12) before transferring to Missouri before the 2012-13 season.
“I’ve watched Alex over the course of his career, he’s a Boston guy,” McDonough said. “So, I’ve seen him play since high school. Watched him a lot at UConn, you know when I was with the Celtics that was a local team for us. I was at a bunch of their games. And once saw him play this last year at Missouri.
“Alex was a key part of the UConn team that won the National Championship [in 2011]. He’s got good size and strength. He’s a good rebounder. He plays hard, and he’s a good kid.”
Oriakhi was the second SEC player (Archie Goodwin, Kentucky) taken by the Suns Thursday night.
