Suns signing undrafted guard Ty-Shon Alexander to 2-way contract
Nov 19, 2020, 11:52 AM | Updated: 12:19 pm
Ty-Shon Alexander #5 of the Creighton Bluejays dribbles past Zavier Simpson #3 of the Michigan Wolverines during the second half of a college basketball game at Crisler Arena on November 12, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines won 79-69 over the Creighton Bluejays. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
(Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
The Phoenix Suns are adding the Big East’s third-leading scorer from a year ago, reportedly signing Ty-Shon Alexander to a two-way deal Thursday.
Alexander averaged 16.9 points per game a season ago with the Bluejays, finishing third in the conference behind Valley native Markus Howard of Marquette and Myles Powell of Seton Hall.
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His signing was first reported by Matt Babcock on Thursday morning, less than a day after the Suns drafted Jalen Smith from the University of Maryland with their lone pick of the night.
Alexander confirmed the signing on Twitter shortly thereafter.
Thank you for the opportunity @Suns https://t.co/uCOahLGPkR
— Ty-Shon Alexander (@5Tyshon) November 19, 2020
Alexander was a first-team All Big East selection in 2020 and an honorable mention in 2019.
The 6-foot-4 guard will look to provide backcourt depth for the Suns, behind Devin Booker and newly acquired guard Chris Paul.
Alexander garnered support across social media as the draft wound to a close on Wednesday, with analysts praising the Charlotte, N.C., native’s ability to shoot and defend the ball.
In a 3-and-D league, I would’ve taken Creighton’s Ty-Shon Alexander ahead of a lot of second-rounders. One of the best perimeter defenders in the country, shot 40% from 3, has good length to play off the ball.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) November 19, 2020
My biggest takeaway from the NBA draft is that scouts forgot to watch the Big East this year. Saddiq Bey went like 10 picks too late, and Markus Howard, Myles Powell, Naji Marshall and Ty-Shon Alexander all among the UDFAs? Damn, man.
— Kerry Miller (@kerrancejames) November 19, 2020
Everyone’s got their list. Here’s my nominations of the best players who went undrafted:
Markus Howard
Devon Dotson
Ty-Shon Alexander
Killian Tillie
Jordan Ford— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) November 19, 2020
Time will tell whether the Suns got a steal of a deal in signing Alexander as an undrafted free agent. The early response from those that covered him in college would indicate that Alexander could prove to be an underrated addition for the Suns going forward.
