NBA DRAFT

July 29, 2021

Jalen Suggs

THE MODERATOR: Jalen, if you'd talk about what you'll bring to your new team, please.

JALEN SUGGS: I think I've showcased it everywhere I've been, just my leadership, my versatility, being able to play the one, two, three, guard the one, two, three, and come in the locker room and really command everybody. Even though I'm a rookie, I think everybody will gravitate toward my energy, toward my vibe and toward my work ethic. So bringing that to the city of Orlando with good people there already that I know, I can't wait to get there.

Q. They selected Cole Anthony last year. He averaged 12.9 points per game. There's a lot of guards already on this team. What Orlando doesn't have is a lot of stars. Then there's you, 2019 Mr. Football, 2020 Mr. Basketball. Do you know the expectations that are on you considering that you're now going to a team who is desperate for a franchise star player?

JALEN SUGGS: I know the expectations I set on myself and those are always the highest. So going in there and achieving what I set out for myself, I know if I do that it'll meet their standards, as well.

Super excited to be going to work with a great group of guards in Cole and R.J. (Hampton) and a great group of people. Just so excited. I can't wait to get there with the group.

Q. What do you plan to do with the new team? How do you plan to make a difference?

JALEN SUGGS: Whatever is asked. Whatever is needed. Whether that's to guard and score, whether that's to come out and facilitate if somebody else is having a hot night, or shut down a star player on the other team. I feel like my versatility I'm going to bring in will allow us to do a lot of different things as a team and succeed, because at the end of the day I just want to win. I want to win for myself, for the city, for the franchise and for everybody else on the team.

Q. You're going to Orlando and you have a new head coach in Jamahl Mosley, and you being a rookie and also having a rookie head coach, how do you feel about getting ready to pretty much be a young guy on the team, and what are your expectations on knowing that you have a rookie head coach coming in?

JALEN SUGGS: Just ready to work together honestly. Knowing that we're both new, new to what we're doing, new to the league in our positions. Excited to work together. Excited to see what we can create together, and knowing that -- coming in as a guard and trying to be a leader, trying to be an extension of him in the locker room, on the court, to make things as easy and helpful for him as possible in his transition.

Q. What is your long-term goal for your NBA basketball career? What is that one thing that you want to achieve and look back on and say, I really did that?

JALEN SUGGS: A champion and a contributing role on a championship team. That's it for me. That's the peak of the mountaintop, being able to have a parade with the city, everyone on the team celebrating together. Thinking about that just brings me happiness and gets me excited. For me, that's the peak of the mountaintop.

Q. On the broadcast they were saying that you needed to work on your three-point shot. I found that funny for a guy who hit a big shot in college like you did. What do you feel you need to work on yourself?

JALEN SUGGS: You know, I don't think I have a real weakness. I think I'm really good at everything. I think now it just comes down to perfecting everything and getting to an elite level at those key things.

I mean, just excited to grow, get better. In this pre-draft process already I've gotten more consistent with my jump shot, handle. This is the best I've ever felt hooping. Just excited to get to work. The sky's the limit for me, and I believe and I know can get there.

Q. I know today is only day one of your NBA career, but what legacy do you want to leave behind when your career is all said and done?

JALEN SUGGS: Again, a winner. Somebody who did everything for their team, gave everything every time they stepped out on the floor. If you say that about me, that's it for me. Going along with that, it's playing well, of course, but personal accolades have never really been a driving factor for me. It's all been winning. I'm a competitor, and that's what I love to do. So a champion and playing at the highest level.

Q. You're coming from Gonzaga where you almost went undefeated and you're coming into a situation that is more on the rebuild side of things. How do you plan on handling that your first season?

JALEN SUGGS: With open arms and enthusiasm and energy, bringing in the vibes that I bring and the leadership that I bring and my work ethic and potential. I'm looking to bring that into the whole team, elevate everybody. They'll make me better and help me learn. So really just excited.

Q. How did it feel walking up there tonight representing Gonzaga on that stage?

JALEN SUGGS: Amazing. I loved all my time at Gonzaga. I'm thankful for everybody who was a part of that -- staff, fans, everybody on the team. Man, knowing that I made that transition from Gonzaga and they helped me grow as a player and as a person, I can't be more thankful. So it was great to represent them walking across the stage.

Q. What was your reaction when you saw or heard that Suni Lee won the All-Around, and how cool is it two kids from St. Paul achieved such great things on one day?

JALEN SUGGS: I texted her immediately and I sent the videos because I was tuned in. What a great accomplishment for her. I'm so proud of her. Me and Suni are great friends. To see her do that and now I get to come out and do this, it's amazing. Minnesota sports and athletics is on the rise, and there's two great examples in one day.

Q. Talk about just being picked as high as you are. If you look back in the history of Minnesota sports, it's been a long time. Kevin McHale being picked in 1980. What do you think this means for the kids growing up now watching you play?

JALEN SUGGS: Just showing them that it's possible. Showing them that through the hard work, the dedication, the faithfulness to perfect your craft that you can get here at the highest level. I'm a perfect example of it, coming from not much and just a hardworking, dedicated family. To this point, it's amazing. So I'm just hoping that every kid back home sees it, recognizes that it's possible and goes and works for it if that's what they want.