Luguentz Dort and ASU products that the Phoenix Suns have drafted

The Phoenix Suns currently own the 32nd overall pick, and there is a chance that Arizona State Sun Devil Luguentz Dort could be available to them. Historically speaking, should they take the risk?

While I have already gone on the record noting that I do not want whoever is potentially available with the 32nd overall pick in this draft – that the Phoenix Suns should not add another rookie to the roster and use the spot on the bench for a veteran (they really  need to re-sign Troy Daniels), if they are unable (or un-willing) to move the pick, at least as an Arizona State fan myself, it would be fun to see Dort in a Suns uniform this coming season.

However, historically speaking, the Phoenix Suns and ASU do not have a very strong history of swapping players – and there is a surprising number of players who (for at least a moment) were part of both organizations.

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns took their first Sun Devil in their first ever rookie draft, in 1968, taking center Bob Edwards in the 8th round with the 100th overall pick, then in 1969 took Gerhardus Schreur (remember him?) in the 10th round and the 163rd overall pick, neither of whom ever made it on the roster.

In 1973 Phoenix took small forward Jim Owens in the 8th round, 128 overall, who actually did appear in 58 games over two seasons with the Suns, averaging 3.05 points per game.

The following year Phoenix took Mark Wasley in the 10th round, 165th overall, but he, once again, never made the team.

Two Sun Devils were taken by the Suns in 1975, Jack Schrader with the 8th round, 130th overall pick, and Mike Moon, 10th round, 163rd. This was also the season the Lionel Hollins was taken with the 10th overall pick by the Portland Trailblazers.

1976 was the last year the Suns risked a Sun Devil for a while, taking forward Gary Jackson in the 10th round, 166th overall.

After seven years of skipping over ASU, Phoenix took shooting guard Paul Williams in the second round, 45th overall, the highest the Suns had taken someone from State to that point. Williams, following tradition, did not make the roster, and ’83 was the year that Byron Scott was taken fourth overall, by the LA Lakers.

Phoenix took Steve Beck 76th overall in the fourth round, and Beck did sign a contract, however he did not make it out of training camp, and was waived six weeks later never to appear in a regular season game.

Once again, several years passed between Sun Devil selections, but in 1995, Phoenix did not pass up on the opportunity to take Super Mario, small forward, Mario Bennett, their only first round selection of a player from ASU ever, 27th overall and the last State player they have drafted.

Bennett lasted longer in the NBA than any other player that the Phoenix Suns ever selected from ASU – barely. Playing for “four” seasons, Bennett began his NBA career on the injured list following arthroscopic left knee surgery to correct chondromalacia and appeared in 19 games for the Suns, all in March and April 1996, starting his first 14 games (dunking the ball on his team’s opening possession following a pass from Kevin Johnson) before falling completely out of the starting rotation, and following two postseason games against San Antonio, never appearing in a Suns uniform again.

Bennett was waived the following training camp and played a season in the CBA before returning to the league in 1997-98, playing in 45 games with the Lakers, then three games for Chicago in February, 1999, and one for the Clippers on March 10, 2000.

History says that if the Phoenix Suns and Luguentz Dort do become a pair in June’s NBA draft that the former Arizona State Sun Devil will not last long with the team.

Fortunately for him, teams are becoming more and more patient with young athletic players than ever before in the hopes of developing their skills over time, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he lasted more than just one or two seasons should Phoenix take him.

That said, many ASU fans believe that Dort left college too early and should have stayed at least one more year prior to making the jump, and with the Phoenix Suns wanting to make a leap sooner rather than later, they might not have the patience that Dort may require, cutting bait before he has a chance to fully develop.