PRESS RELEASE
NEW YORK (Nov. 18, 2020) — University of Maryland All-American forward Jalen Smith was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft Wednesday evening.
Smith is Maryland’s highest selection — and first lottery pick — since 2013, when Alex Len was taken with the fifth overall pick by the Suns. He is the 13th top-10 selection in program history.
“I couldn’t be happier for Jalen and his family tonight,” said head coach Mark Turgeon. “Jalen entered our program with a plan and put in the work to turn his dream into a reality. To be selected in the top-10 makes it that much more special. I have no doubt Jalen is destined for great things and can’t wait to see what’s in store for the future.”
He is the 61st player in University of Maryland history to be drafted into the NBA, and the seventh Maryland player drafted under head coach Mark Turgeon, joining Len (2013), Diamond Stone (2016), Jake Layman (2016), Kevin Huerter (2018), Justin Jackson (2018) and Bruno Fernando (2019).
The Baltimore native had a sensational sophomore season in 2019-20, averaging 15.5 points (16.8 in conference play), 10.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks. He was a unanimous Third Team All-American across all publications and was a finalist for the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award.
