PHOENIX SUNS

Shake Milton’s versatility would fill Suns’ needs on first-round bubble

May 25, 2018, 1:48 PM | Updated: 10:44 pm

SMU's Shake Milton, left, defends as USC's Jordan McLaughlin prepares to make a pass in the first h...

SMU's Shake Milton, left, defends as USC's Jordan McLaughlin prepares to make a pass in the first half of a first-round game in the men's NCAA college basketball tournament in Tulsa, Okla., Friday March 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Southern Methodist isn’t known as an NBA-prospect hotbed, but the school is producing unique and versatile players.

Milwaukee Bucks second-round draft pick Sterling Brown is known for shooting and defense while Boston Celtics second-round pick Semi Ojeleye has found success as a strong perimeter defender, taking assignments such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James for small stretches in the playoffs.

Guard Shake Milton is the latest to come out of the school and he is the most versatile of the three.

At 6-foot-6 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, Milton was an elite three-point shooter. He attempted 445 three-pointers over three seasons for the Mustangs and made 42.6 percent of ’em.

On top of that, Milton can handle the ball and distribute a bit. He averaged 4.5 assists as a sophomore and 4.4 as a junior in an increased role as a playmaker.

Defensively, Milton’s size makes him a threat to guard three-to-four positions, which is possibly the most appealing aspect of his projection.

Add that up and you’ve got quite the dynamic 21-year-old.

Milton was in the Phoenix Suns’ first group for draft workouts on Friday and spoke on that versatility.

“Just the fact that I can really shoot the ball, space the floor,” he said of his strengths. “My IQ for the game. I think I’m really able to pick up on things quickly, and just being versatile. You can plug me in at the one, at the two or three … Just trying to show I can do a little bit of everything.”

Milton missed all of February and March due to a broken bone in his right hand but said he’s 100 percent. He underperformed at the NBA Combine, something the Suns aren’t worried about.

“The combine — it’s a small sample,” general manager Ryan McDonough said. “They only play for two days … We go more off the film than anything.”

Milton has had five workouts already and will be one of the busiest players in that regard, as he could go anywhere from the mid-first round to the start of the second round. The Suns pick at Nos. 16 and 31 in that range.

He’s spoken with Brown and Ojeleye and picked up pointers on how they went through the process as two players who were both projected in similar ranges of the draft as Milton.

“Just kinda looking at what they did and the way they maneuvered through this process and just trying to follow their steps,” Milton said.

With Phoenix, Milton could be yet another multi-dimensional perimeter player, joining the likes of Devin Booker and Josh Jackson who can flourish beyond just one aspect of the game.

That’s what the Suns want, specifically on defense.

“If you don’t have to protect anybody or hide anybody, if you can just switch and guard one through five, that’s really valuable,” McDonough said.

Milton worked out with other guards that have length, including Kansas’ Devonte’ Graham and Xavier’s Trevon Bluiett. Arizona State’s Tra Holder, Oakland’s Kendrick Nunn and Iowa State’s Lindell Wigginton were also in the workout.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Phoenix Suns

Jusuf Nurkic...

Damon Allred

Jusuf Nurkic questionable for Suns’ matchup with Thunder; Bradley Beal no longer listed

The Phoenix Suns are listing center Jusuf Nurkic questionable for a matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.

15 hours ago

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.

1 day 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.

2 days 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.

2 days 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.

2 days 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.

3 days ago

Shake Milton’s versatility would fill Suns’ needs on first-round bubble