Jalen Suggs

Jalen Suggs has been a two-sport star for as long as anyone in Saint Paul can remember. Born June 3, 2001, he grew up in Minnesota playing football and basketball at a level that made college recruiters from both sports come calling. He chose basketball, landed at Gonzaga, and turned one pandemic-shortened season in Spokane into a national coming-out party. The Orlando Magic picked him fifth overall in the 2021 NBA draft, and he has been their starting guard and emotional engine ever since. At Gonzaga, Suggs ran the point for a Bulldogs team that went 31-1 and reached the national championship game. His signature moment came in the Final Four against UCLA, when he banked in a running three-pointer at the buzzer to win an overtime classic. That shot sent Gonzaga to the title game and made him a household name overnight. He averaged 14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists as a freshman, earning first-team All-WCC honors and a reputation as a relentless two-way competitor. With the Magic, Suggs has developed into a defensive pest and a capable secondary playmaker. He earned All-Rookie second-team honors in 2022 and has become a fixture in Orlando's young core, pairing with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner to push the franchise back toward playoff contention. Injuries have interrupted his early seasons, but his intensity on the defensive end and his knack for big plays have kept him in the starting lineup when healthy. He signed a five-year rookie-scale extension in 2024, a clear signal that the Magic see him as part of their long-term plan. Off the court, Suggs keeps a low profile in Orlando, though his football background still surfaces in pickup games and offseason workouts. He remains close to his Minnesota roots and has spoken about the influence of his family and youth coaches in Saint Paul. At 25, he is still growing as a shooter and decision-maker, but the foundation is there: a competitive guard who plays every possession like it matters, because for most of his life, it has.[edit]