Career Timeline of Jalen Suggs: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Jalen Suggs, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Jalen Suggs is an American professional basketball player currently with the Orlando Magic in the NBA. He played college basketball for the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Suggs was drafted by the Magic as the fifth overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2011: Dwight Howard's Last All-Defensive honor

In 2011–12 NBA season Dwight Howard was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.

2018: Led SMB Wolfpack to Class 4A state championship

In 2018, Jalen Suggs led his football team, SMB Wolfpack, to a Class 4A state championship. He also secured a gold medal at the FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Argentina, averaging 8.7 points and 3.3 steals per game.

2018: Won gold medal at FIBA Under-17 World Cup

In 2018, Jalen Suggs won a gold medal with the United States at the FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Argentina, where he averaged 8.7 points and 3.3 steals per game.

2019: School season cut short due to COVID-19 pandemic

In 2019, Jalen Sugg's school season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing the team from defending its state championship. He left as his school's all-time leading scorer with 2,945 career points. He earned MaxPreps All-American first team and Minnesota Mr. Basketball honors and was named Minnesota AP Player of the Year. He was selected to play in the McDonald's All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit, but all three games were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2019: Won gold medal at FIBA Under-19 World Cup

In 2019, Jalen Suggs won a gold medal with the United States at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup in Heraklion, Greece, where he averaged 9.6 points per game. Suggs scored 15 points, his best mark in the tournament, in the final against Mali.

January 3, 2020: Committed to play college basketball for Gonzaga University

On January 3, 2020, Jalen Suggs committed to play college basketball for Gonzaga University, choosing them over offers from Florida, Florida State, Iowa State, and Minnesota. He became the highest-ranked player to commit to the program.

November 25, 2020: Made debut, recorded 24 points

On November 25, 2020, Jalen Suggs made his debut, recording 24 points and eight assists in a 102–90 win over Kansas.

2020: Played for Gonzaga Bulldogs

In 2020, Jalen Suggs played for the Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball team in the 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball season.

2020: Earned All-American honors

In 2020, Jalen Suggs was a consensus second-team All-American. He earned First Team All-West Coast Conference (WCC), Newcomer of the Year, and All-Freshman Team honors. He also received several player-of-the-week honors during the 2020–2021 season.

March 9, 2021: Named WCC Tournament Most Outstanding Player

On March 9, 2021, Jalen Suggs recorded 23 points, five rebounds, and five assists in an 88–78 win against BYU at the 2021 WCC tournament title game. He was named tournament most outstanding player.

April 19, 2021: Declared for the 2021 NBA draft

On April 19, 2021, Jalen Suggs declared for the 2021 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.

2021: NBA debut and thumb fracture

In 2021, Jalen Suggs made his NBA debut. Later in the year, on November 29, Suggs fractured his right thumb in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers and missed twenty games. After the 2021-22 season, Suggs underwent right ankle surgery.

2021: Selected by the Orlando Magic in the 2021 NBA draft

In 2021, Jalen Suggs was selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft by the Orlando Magic.

November 18, 2022: Hit game-winning three-pointer

On November 18, 2022, Jalen Suggs hit the game-winning three-pointer in a 108–107 win for the Orlando Magic against the Chicago Bulls.

January 5, 2024: Recorded career-high 27 points

On January 5, 2024, Jalen Suggs recorded a then career-high 27 points in a 122–120 win over the Denver Nuggets.

April 25, 2024: Recorded playoff career-high 24 points

On April 25, 2024, Jalen Suggs recorded a playoff career-high 24 points with an 81.8 field goal percentage, in a 121–83 home victory of Game 3 of the 2024 Eastern Conference First Round against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

October 21, 2024: Agreed to contract extension with the Magic

On October 21, 2024, Jalen Suggs and the Orlando Magic agreed to a five-year, $150.5 million contract extension.

November 27, 2024: Scored career-high 31 points

On November 27, 2024, Jalen Suggs put up a career-high 31 points, along with seven assists and three rebounds in a 133–119 win over the Chicago Bulls.