Valley of the Suns
Fansided

The Phoenix Suns’ top draft prospects have been on display

By Chad Boyles

HARTFORD, CT - MARCH 23: Murray State Racers guard Ja Morant (12) during the NCAA Division I Men's Championship second round college basketball game between the Florida State Seminoles and the Murray State Racers on March 23, 2019 at XL Center in Hartford, CT. (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HARTFORD, CT - MARCH 23: Murray State Racers guard Ja Morant (12) during the NCAA Division I Men's Championship second round college basketball game between the Florida State Seminoles and the Murray State Racers on March 23, 2019 at XL Center in Hartford, CT. (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – MARCH 22: RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils dunks the ball against the North Dakota State Bison in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – MARCH 22: RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils dunks the ball against the North Dakota State Bison in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

3.  R.J. Barrett

In the shadow of Zion, Duke’s R.J. Barrett does not let anything keep him from performing at his highest level possible. Barrett is averaging 21 points, 11 rebounds and 3.5 assists in this year’s first two rounds of the NCAA tournament. In the escape of UCF, he hit a clutch three as he often did all year, as well as the game winning put back off of a missed free throw.

Barrett has shown ability to take games over. Without Zion for a stretch of games, R.J. was the center of attention for defenses, but he still flourished for the Blue Devils.  He hits big shots from all over the floor and has an unmatched attitude when it comes to working to be the best and competing.  In 36 games on the season, Barrett is averaging 23 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists per game.

R.J. is described as a leader, who takes nothing less than the best.  That persona, with point guard ball handling and small forward length/athleticism, could find a niche in Phoenix if the Suns have the second or third pick in the draft. Barrett, like Morant, may only see his game flourish once he’s surrounded by professional talent. Agile, smart and always making the right play, Barrett may still sit ahead of Ja Morant on the big board in my opinion.

Barrett is also Steve Nash’s godson.  Are the Suns going to pass up on a player of this caliber who just so happens to be the godson of the best player in franchise history?  You can’t make this stuff up.

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