Jalen Smith #10 of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game against the Dallas Mavericks at PHX Arena on December 23, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Mavericks 106-102. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Phoenix Suns on Monday announced that rookie big Jalen Smith has been assigned to the NBA G League.
Smith will join the Agua Caliente Clippers (Los Angeles Clippers affiliate), as the season is already underway at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando.
Selected with the No. 10 overall pick by the Suns in the 2020 NBA Draft, Smith has only played 50 minutes in eight appearances this season.
That’s largely due to the rookie contracting COVID-19, which caused him to be out from late December to early January.
He also missed some time due to an ankle injury as well.
When Smith has been on the floor, he’s scored 14 points on 6-of-17 shooting to go along with 10 rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
His last appearance was a brief 1:22 in the Suns’ 120-111 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday.
Smith was inactive for Sunday’s 109-90 win over the Orlando Magic.
After the game, Monty Williams said there would be an announcement, but the head coach did not want to speak for the rookie.
