Alec Peters picked by Phoenix Suns 54th overall in NBA Draft
Jun 22, 2017, 9:15 PM | Updated: 11:51 pm
The Phoenix Suns went after a big man shooter with their third and final pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, nabbing Valparaiso power forward Alec Peters 54th overall.
The 6-foot-9, 232-pounder averaged 22.5 points and 9.9 rebounds per game as a senior last season, shooting 51 percent overall and 37 percent from three-point land.
Peters missed the final four games of the 2016-17 season with a stress fracture in his right leg and did not participate in pre-draft workouts.
At the NBA level, Peters’ catch-and-shoot ability should translate immediately. Though his scoring output largely came from the post and in the paint in college, it remains to be seen how Peters can score aside from his jumper, as he didn’t regularly play against NBA size or athleticism at Valpo.
Where he fits with the Suns’ roster remains to be seen considering the young frontcourt talent in front of him. Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss along with Jared Dudley and Tyson Chandler — not to mention restricted free agents Alex Len and Alan Williams — could lead Peters to beginning his pro career in the G League.
With that shooting, Peters fits the bill with one of the Suns’ needs heading into the draft and joins No. 4 overall pick Josh Jackson of Kansas and No. 32 pick Davon Reed of Miami in the 2017 Phoenix draft class.
