Mountaineers in the Pros
Jalen Bridges Continues NBA Summer League with 16-Point Game
West Virginia native and former WVU forward Jalen Bridges recorded 16 points, four rebounds and two steals off the bench for the Phoenix Suns’ summer league team on Friday. Bridges’ efforts helped the Suns defeat the Milwaukee Bucks, 115-90.
Bridges shot 6-of-14 and 40% from three while posting a positive plus-minus of 20.
Bridges’ 16 points marks the highest point total during his summer league run.
Bridges, who played at Baylor the last two seasons, is averaging 9.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.3 steals through four games.
Thank you Jesus! 🙏🏽 https://t.co/nk0BpfeixM
— Jalen Bridges (@jalenbridges_) July 19, 2024
Just minutes after the NBA draft, Bridges signed a two-way deal with the Suns as an undrafted free agent. Bridges had numerous pre-draft workouts with the Indiana Pacers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets and others.
Bridges attended Fairmont Senior High School, contributing to consecutive West Virginia State Class AA Title appearances. Bridges was a four-star prospect coming out of high school, committing to WVU and staying home. Bridges spent two seasons playing at West Virginia, becoming a full-time starter for a year and a half. Bridges averaged 7.3 points and 4.2 rebounds through 61 games for the Mountaineers.
Bridges entered the transfer portal in March 2022, leaving WVU for Baylor. Bridges averaged 12.2 points and 5.7 rebounds on 47% shooting from the field this past season.
Other Mountaineers who are playing in the summer league include RaeQuan Battle (Hornets), Jesse Edwards (Timberwolves), Tre Mitchell (Thunder), Emmitt Matthews Jr. (Hawks), Gabe Osabuohien (Cavaliers) and Erik Stevenson (Wizards). Edwards and Bridges signed two-way deals following the NBA draft in June.
Edwards and Stevenson recently had nice outings on Thursday night.
