Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Phoenix Suns Second Round small forward prospects

By Khaleel Abdullah

SOUTH BEND, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Bonzie Colson #35 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is seen during the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Purcell Pavilion on February 28, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Bonzie Colson #35 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is seen during the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Purcell Pavilion on February 28, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 7
Next
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 02: Keita Bates-Diop #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes handles the ball on offense against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 2, 2018 in New York City. The Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 69-68. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 02: Keita Bates-Diop #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes handles the ball on offense against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 2, 2018 in New York City. The Penn State Nittany Lions defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 69-68. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /

3. Keita Bates-Diop – Ohio State/From Illinois (6-7 235, 22 years old)

Keita was named 2nd Team All American and rightfully so. He put up a 48-36-78 shooting line with averages of 19.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1 steal and 1.7 blocks per game. In 6 games versus ranked teams he made 39% of his treys and scored 20 points per game to go with 8 rebounds, 1 steal and 1.2 blocks, showing off against tough competition. He is good and would fit in on this athletic, long Suns team. However, the reason why he plays so hard is a real tear jerker and why one should pull hard for him to make it. His younger brother’s basketball career was cut short after an undetected heart issue caused him to collapse in training at his high school and ended any dreams of him playing later in life. So now Keita plays for two and he wants to make his family proud and live the life not just for him but for his little brother as well. Here’s to hoping he can do just that. First, he will need to stand up in the tournament and help his team make some noise.

Home/Suns Draft