Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Top-5 rookies in Phoenix Suns history

By Steve Miner

GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: Josh Jackson of the Phoenix Suns poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: Josh Jackson of the Phoenix Suns poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Training camp started this week for the Phoenix Suns meaning the season is almost here. Something everyone Valley of the Suns-wide is looking forward to this year is the debut of rookie Josh Jackson.

PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 25: Josh Jackson #20 of the Phoenix Suns poses for a head shot during media day on September 25, 2017 at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 25: Josh Jackson #20 of the Phoenix Suns poses for a head shot during media day on September 25, 2017 at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Jackson, the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft, is perhaps the most hyped rookie in Suns history – certainly in my lifetime.

Remember, this is a franchise that has never had a number one pick. It’s most recent top-five picks, Alex Len and Dragan Bender, were both long-term projects. Neither came out in a particularly strong draft, especially Len.

Jackson, however, was a star during his freshman season at Kansas. He shows the potential to make an immediate impact and develop into a great NBA player. He easily could have been the number one pick in another draft that wasn’t as historically top heavy as 2017’s was.

Will Josh Jackson live up to the hype? We have yet to see. He doesn’t need to have an overwhelming rookie year in order to have a successful NBA career. Plenty of all-time greats took a couple of years to get their careers going, future Hall of Famer Steve Nash. If he does have a strong season though, he would join a pretty distinguished group of Suns who did the same.

Phoenix has had multiple Rookies of the Year and NBA All-Rookie Team members. Most recent are Devin Booker and Marquese Chriss, who made the All-Rookie First and Second Teams, respectively. There are many others, though.

I have decided to compile a list of the best rookie seasons in Phoenix Suns history. Hopefully one day Josh Jackson will make it on here

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