Suns assign rookie guard Ty Jerome to Northern Arizona Suns
Mar 4, 2020, 11:15 AM | Updated: 2:14 pm
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroeder, left, reaches in to attempt a steal from Phoenix Suns guard Ty Jerome during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The Phoenix Suns have assigned rookie guard Ty Jerome to the G League Northern Arizona Suns, the organization announced Wednesday.
Jerome has appeared in 25 games for the Suns and averaged 3.6 points and 1.6 rebounds and assists apiece in about 11 minutes per game.
He has only played in seven of the last 14 games, and only broken the 10-minute mark twice in that span. Over the last four Suns games, he has only played a total of 1 minute and 42 seconds.
Phoenix head coach Monty Williams said he’s using a lesson taught to him by San Antonio Spurs head coach Greg Popovich.
“Pop taught me a long time ago that you can’t skip steps and this is a step for him to go down there and prove that he not only can play down there but that he can hold his own,” Williams said after Suns shootaround Wednesday.
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Jerome has played two games for the NAZ Suns this year, posting 13.5 points and three rebounds and assists apiece in about 16 minutes.
In the small G League sample size, his shooting percentages were elite: 56.3% from the field and 50% from 3. In the NBA, he is shooting 35.4% from the field and 27.5% from deep.
Phoenix’s point guard depth behind Ricky Rubio includes Jevon Carter, who has averaged 14.6 minutes in 47 games, and Elie Okobo, who has averaged 13.3 minutes in 52 games.
“For (Jerome) to get on the floor, I think he’s gotta earn it with consistent play so I’m hopeful he can go down there and play consistently and, if the opportunity presents itself, come back here and play,” Williams said.
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