Suns Select Tucker and Strawberry in Thursday’s NBA Draft
By Josh Greene, Suns.com
Posted: June 28, 2007
A minor quad injury quickly shut down forward Alando Tucker’s second pre-draft workout for the Suns Tuesday.
Fortunately, the first one was more than enough to win over Phoenix.
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With a Wisconsin-best 2,217 career points, Badgers forward Alando Tucker is headed to Phoenix after being drafted by the Suns Thursday.
(Courtesy of University of Wisconsin)
The defending Pacific Division Champions selected Wisconsin’s all-time leading scorer with the 29th pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft. A Big Ten Player of the Year in his senior season, Tucker also left Head Coach Bo Ryan’s program as the Badgers’ single-season scoring leader and topped the school’s career points leader, breaking fellow alum and former Sun Michael Finley’s scoring mark.
Averaging 19.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and two assists in 36 games for Wisconsin last year, the 6-6 forward was named a First Team All-American by
The Associated Press and was also a finalist for the Naismith Trophy as the national player of the year.
“Once I (found out) that I was going to Phoenix, it was the greatest feeling,” said Tucker via conference call Thursday night. “I’m excited to be out there. I was able to work out there the first time, and they were impressed with my resume and the things I have to offer.
“This is one of the places I was really hoping I could land, and it worked out for the best.”
With their list of player favorites narrowing quickly, the Suns opted to send the draft rights to No. 24 pick Rudy Fernandez to Portland for cash considerations, before selecting Tucker a few minutes later with the 29th pick. After a week of swirling rumors involving everything from possible blockbuster trades to trying to move up in the draft, Phoenix ultimately decided to free up the finances to help keep together the core group that won 61 games last season.
"If we could have gotten two out of the five players we had targeted (in the first round), we would have kept 24," President of Basketball Operations and GM Steve Kerr said. "Since the list narrowed down, we just didn’t feel good about taking two people. So we decided to move one and keep the other with thoughts on free agency.
“We also had to evaluate at 24 and 29 what would we get. We loved three or four different people in that range, so we were really fired up to get Alando where we did, because he is one of those guys we think is going to be a big addition. He is a winner. He’s a guy with a lot of life and college experience. We think he’ll be a huge addition in terms of our foundation and character as a team. He’s athletic, strong and can guard a few different positions. We’re happy with that.”
While Tucker only got a quick taste of it in the pre-draft workouts, the 23-year-old is confident he can fit into the Suns’ up-tempo style come Opening Night.
“I’m a fast break sort of player,” he said. “I finish plays. When you’re a player playing behind Steve Nash, Raja Bell and even Leandro Barbosa – guys who make decisions on the break –
it’s great to have a finisher like myself. I’m confident once I get the ball, I can put it in the basket.”
The holder of seven other Wisconsin records, including games played, starts, minutes, field goals, free throws and attempts, and offensive rebounds, Tucker is no stranger to putting in the time to improve himself and help make his team better – even a team coming off three straight division crowns.
“Once you step on the basketball court, you are all equals,” he said. “It’s all about how hard you work. I’m going to work as hard as I can to get on the floor and do things to help my team win.”
With their second-round selection, the Suns took Maryland guard D.J. Strawberry with the 59th overall pick. The 6-5, 201-pound guard blossomed in his senior season posting career bests in scoring (14.9 ppg), rebounding (4.4 rpg) and steals (2 spg) in 34 games played, and earned All-ACC Second Team and ACC Defensive Team honors.
Son of former Major League Baseball player Darryl Strawberry, the 22-year old tested as the best athlete at the Orlando Pre-Draft camp earlier this month.
“It was surprising he was still (available), because we had him up there pretty high,” Suns Head Coach Mike D’Antoni said. “We’re pretty happy with him. At one point at (picks) 24 or 29, I thought he might come into play.
“It was a very fruitful night, and that’s good.”
Wisconsin's Loss Is Phoenix's Gain
Since taking the helm in 2002, Wisconsin Head Coach Bo Ryan has seen plenty of players come through his program, but Alando Tucker is easily one of the most talented. Between setting school records in multiple categories, the forward also made his mark as a team leader. That makes the Badgers’ coach a bit sorry to see his star pupil leave, but more than happy to him go to the Valley as a Sun.
“Alando can attack the basket, score inside and get fouled,” Ryan told Suns.com. “He shot more free throws than anybody in the history of Wisconsin because he just has that ability to draw contact and get to the hole. He also improved on the perimeter, and he’s going to do even more of that in the NBA because of guys like Steve Nash that can create. That’s where Alando will really thrive. I think the Suns are a great team for him to be drafted by.”
Ryan talked to an emotional Tucker after he was selected by Phoenix Thursday night, and stresses that Suns fans will soon get to enjoy the same game from the youngster that’s entertained Badgers’ fans for four-plus seasons in Madison. “You will love him,” the Wisconsin coach said. “You will absolutely love him. He will become one of the most popular players and people in your city. Trust me. He is that kind of guy. He is genuine. All he knows is he’s happy to be doing what he’s doing. He appreciates the fact that he is healthy enough and talented enough to be able to do something that he likes. And it’s all for real.”
