Suns shooting guard Devin Booker was chosen by the team as the top shooter in Thursday’s NBA draft. Booker played for Kentucky.

 

 

 

The Suns acquired an 18-year-old sharpshooter who played off the bench for a Kentucky squad that was loaded with stars. He ranked lowest in the NBA for 3-point shooting percentage following the All-Star break and trading deadline.

Booker became the SEC’s Sixth Man of the Year after shooting 41% from outside the arc, making him the youngest player in his draft class. With 21.5 minutes of playing time each game, Booker averaged 10 points. Booker, who stood at 6 feet 6 inches and 206 pounds, stood out as the more complete and talented athlete during team practices and the draft combine. Last month at the combine, he set the record for fastest lane agility.In Kentucky, Booker’s flawless form had limited him to the role of spot-up shooter. Inspired in large part by his father Melvin, who was a standout point guard at Missouri and had a short NBA career, he played with intelligence.

 

 

If Brandon Knight is re-signed as a restricted free agent, the Suns anticipate having Eric Bledsoe and him back as their starting backcourt partners next season. To make room for players with contracts for the upcoming season, they bench Reggie Bullock, Jerel McNeal, and Archie Goodwin.