Valley of the Suns
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Phoenix Suns: Top 15 best draft picks in franchise history

By Adam Maynes

PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns moves the ball upcourt during the NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers at US Airways Center on February 19, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 102-90. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns moves the ball upcourt during the NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers at US Airways Center on February 19, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 102-90. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – FEBRUARY 20: Cedric Ceballos #23 of the Phoenix Suns attempts a dunk during the 1993 Slam Dunk Contest on February 20, 1993 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 1993 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – FEBRUARY 20: Cedric Ceballos #23 of the Phoenix Suns attempts a dunk during the 1993 Slam Dunk Contest on February 20, 1993 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 1993 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Small Forward. Cal State Fullerton. Cedric Ceballos. 66. Scouting Report. 15. player. Pick Analysis

The franchise’s 15th best player ever drafted was actually a second-round pick, selected 48th overall, and only played for the Suns for four seasons before being traded to the franchise’s biggest rival, the Los Angeles Lakers, where he became a 20-point scorer.

Coined a point-a-minute player, Ceballos could put the ball in the basket in an uncanny way. Not a prolific outside shooter, Ceballos made his name as a scorer who sliced and drived through the lane taking defenders through the spin-cycle, often ending with a ferocious jam — a talent he was most widely known for.

His best season as a Sun would be the fourth season of his career when he averaged 19.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, shooting 53.5 percent from the field — the second best field goal percentage of his career behind his prior season (1992-93), when he led the league with a 57.6 field goal percentage.

In that 1992-93 season, Ceballos was part of a potent bench attack that helped lead Phoenix to the Western Conference Finals. Unfortunately, in the second half of game 6 Ceballos severely sprained his ankle, keeping him out for the remainder of the playoffs, and most importantly, the NBA Finals against the Chicago Bulls.

Following the 1993-94 season, Ceballos was traded to the Lakers for a 1995 first-round pick, a welcome pick that would later be used to draft Michael Finley, who was eventually traded for Jason Kidd.

Ceballos averaged career highs in scoring in two years with Los Angeles., averaging 21.4 points and 7.4 rebounds per game overall. He would have a serendipitous falling out with the Lakers eight  games into the 1996-97 season and was traded back to Phoenix for Robert Horry. In 1998, he would be sent to the Dallas Mavericks for Dennis Scott where he would play for two seasons, ending his career in 2001 after time with the Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets.

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