Will Sudanese Jesus return?
Welcome to our Phoenix Suns Season in Review series where we do individual PLAYER REVIEWS of each man who contributed in the 2023-24 season. We go through the roster to analyze what went right/wrong for them, and what they can do to get better for next season.
OK, so hear me out…I love Bol Bol. I really do.
When the Phoenix Suns signed Bol back in July of 2023, a lot of Suns fans were perplexed. It didn’t seem to make sense. People thought he would just be a circus attraction, similar to Tacko Fall in Boston, and wouldn’t really be a productive member of our roster. I disagree.
Sure Bol Bol’s career has had its ups and downs but let’s look a little closer.
Bol Bol
- Position: Wing
- Vitals: 7’3”, 220lbs, 24 years old
- Experience: 4 years
- Stats: 43 GP, 5.2 PPG (61.6 FG%, 42.3 3PT%, 78.9 FT%), 3.2 RPG, 0.6 BLK
Contract Details
Bol enters the 2024 offseason as an unrestricted free agent.
Career Progression
When Bol Bol started his NBA career, he was drafted in the second round with the 44th pick of the 2019 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat. His draft rights were quickly traded to the Denver Nuggets. He spent time in the G-League, doing so with the Windy City Bulls, to hone his craft. Bol Bol made his NBA debut in “The Bubble” in August of 2020 with a loss to the Miami Heat. In just 11 minutes Bol produced 5 points and 4 rebounds.
It wasn’t so much his stats but his size and appearance that garnered attention from fans worldwide. He is so tall and long-limbed, that it’s hard not to stand out. Being the son of Manute Bol we recognized the name but not the game. However, Bol Bol made a name on his own with a strong work ethic and solid performance. In his first 4 years, his FG percentage did not dip below .431, often shooting over .500 for the season.
Despite showing signs of improvement in all aspects of his game Bol was traded to the Detroit Pistons on January 10, 2022. Unfortunately, Bol failed his medical exam, which resulted in him having surgery to repair his right foot. After time on the shelf, Bol ended up back on the Magic’s roster. His career night came on November 16 in a 108–126 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Bol had 26 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks. Ultimately Bol’s run with the Magic ended up around 8 months later when he was waived.
Regular Season Recap
Now we get to the good stuff! Bol Bol signed with the Phoenix Suns in July of 2023.
He immediately became a fan favorite in PHX.
The crowd loved every time he was on the court. We just love a big guy. It wasn’t all speculation and hype either. Bol’s numbers speak for themselves. In his first season in Phoenix, he was grabbing rebounds like they were on sale, and his shooting was the best it has ever been. At the end of the 2023-2024 season, Bol recorded a field goal percentage of .616 and a 3-point percentage of .423 while pulling down 137 rebounds for the year. His 3-point percentage is the second-highest he has had in his career. Only in his debut season with the Denver Nuggets was it higher at .444 (Only played 7 games).
So it’s fair to say that Bol Bol’s game has gotten stronger.
Looking at this season, it was frustrating. We all know that Bol Bol makes an immediate impact when he is put into play. It’s a fact! So why former Suns Coach Vogel was not playing him is unknown. Maybe Vogel was just a bad coach? No….. Vogel was a bad Coach. That’s right I said it!
So the word on the street, is that we are going to re-sign Bol Bol. I think this would be amazing. A perfect backup 4 or even a 5 in a crisis. Imagine what our new Head Coach Mike Budenholzer can do with a role player like Bol. I sincerely hope that I get to see Bol Bol back in the Valley next season. Too much raw talent to waste.
Only time will tell.