Singletary happy to be in Phoenix
Paul Coro - Aug. 26, 2008 07:31 PM
The Arizona Republic
Sean Singletary has tasted much of pro life already. Being traded twice in a month would sour any rookie's outlook, but his deals went down sweet when he wound up with Phoenix.
Singletary, who turns 23 in 10 days, once revered new teammates Grant Hill, Steve Nash and Shaquille O'Neal. Just check the basement of his Philadelphia home, where a "Shaq Attack" pinball machine sit"It's kind of surreal," Singletary said.
After four years at Virginia with more ACC losses than wins, joining Phoenix's title quest is a throwback thrill.
"I haven't been on an elite team since I was 12," he said.
Singletary, acquired Monday in the D.J. Strawberry trade with Houston, has been an elite point guard. He is a three-time ACC first-team player with a retired jersey at Virginia.
Despite accomplished play, Singletary heard his size, shot and ability to run a team questioned at draft time. He expected to be picked higher, prompting him to leave home on draft night before Sacramento took him 42nd (the Kings later sent him to Houston in the Ron Artest deal).
After carrying the scoring load for an average Virginia team this year, Singletary focused on playmaking at Pre-Draft Camp and posted an assist-to-turnover ration of 5 to 1.
"People didn't think I could run a team," Singletary said. "In school, I wasn't able to do too much facilitating. It was a good situation (at the camp) to get into the paint and create, and to do it on the run, too. "All I can do now is bring energy and play smart basketball. Hopefully, things will work out for me. I know it's going to be an uphill battle. I've always been able to find a way."
You take on that mind-set when you are at 6 feet and 185 pounds. The self-described warrior believes he could have had similar success in football. He received passes in his prep days from Matt Ryan, now the Atlanta Falcons' quarterback.
Singletary endured hip and shoulder surgeries in college but missed only one game in four years. He considered leaving after his junior year but stayed to finish his sociology degree for his parents, who each overcame cancer battles.
He likely will hold on to the Suns' 13th and presumably final roster spot. It would be a surprise if he cracked the rotation, but he is eager to get to work.
"You're only a rookie once," he said. "I want to learn from all these guys and incorporate it into my game. I'm going to take my time but work with a sense of urgency, too. I'm going to come and give it all I've got."
