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.
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