Phoenix Suns forward Rasheer Fleming had a strong rookie season and used the offseason to add some muscle ahead of his second year.
Throughout the NBA Summer League, Fleming gave fans a glimpse of a more developed player with his added strength, and he also got to watch the development of the other young Suns around him.
“I feel like that’s helped to slow the game down for me too, just knowing that I’m stronger. I don’t have to be in a rush,” Fleming told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta Thursday. “I can just stay on balance while I’m trying to make certain moves. It’s helping when I’m guarding different guys.
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“I feel like I got stronger, but I’m still moving fluidly on both ends, whether I’m guarding smaller guys (or) big guys. It’s helped with my overall game.”
In addition to his strength, Fleming worked on his 3-point shooting, which have both contributed to his growth as an all-around player this offseason.
“I feel like I can compete with a bunch of different guys and do it at a high level. I feel like I can do a little bit of everything on the floor, whether that’s having the ball in my hand or being in the corner or just moving around for my teammates – doing a little bit of everything, whatever is needed for the team.”
In four Summer League games, Fleming is averaging 12 points (on 47.4% shooting), 6.5 rebounds and one assist per game, while shooting 42.1% from the 3-point range (8-for-19).
Fleming’s best performance came in his final game, Wednesday’s 100-88 win over the Detroit Pistons, with 22 points (8-for-12 from the field) and eight rebounds, including four offensive.
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The Summer Suns will play at least one more game in Las Vegas, but Fleming was shut down along with Khaman Maluach and Koa Peat, Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro reported.
After playing in 55 games his rookie year, and averaging about 12 minutes per game, many are looking for Fleming to grow into a bigger role next season. Fleming, though, is just focused on getting better each day.
“I just want to keep working and be the best player I can be, and then whatever comes out of that, I’m looking forward to whatever that may be,” Fleming said. “I’m really excited to play with the team I got right now.”
Rasheer Fleming sees Khaman Maluach’s leadership, Koa Peat’s versatility
Fleming will enter his second year in the NBA alongside fellow sophomore Maluach and rookie Peat. As the three youngsters got a chance to play together for the first time in Summer League, Fleming saw different parts of each of their games that stood out.
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Maluach displayed vocal leadership on the court, something Fleming noticed during his rookie year as well.
“He’s been doing that even last year. I’ve been seeing that vocal leadership from Khaman,” Fleming said. “I’m glad that it’s starting to be seen now. I feel like he’s always been that vocal. He’s young, but he’s still a leader at the end of the day. That’s one of his good qualities.”
The 7-foot-2 19-year-old put together four straight double-doubles in Summer League play and had 13 combined blocks and steals.
As for the Suns’ No. 30 overall pick, Fleming called Peat a “Swiss army knife” because of his diverse skillset on the court.
“I love Koa’s aggressiveness. He can really roll his way to the rim anytime he wants. He’s really strong, especially for his age. I think he plays the right way as well. I don’t think he’s forcing anything. He’s making the right reads. So, I think he’s … what do they call it? Like a Swiss army knife.”
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Fleming added the way Peat pushes the floor at 6-foot-8 and his ability to throw lobs are the types of skills you can’t teach.
With Mark Williams re-signed, Oso Ighodaro continuing to grow and the talent of Fleming, Maluach and Peat, the Suns front-court is loaded with talent and depth.