The Phoenix Suns today announced the signing of forward Taylor Griffin, the club’s second-round selection (48th overall) in the 2009 NBA Draft. We will try to post contract info tonight.
“Taylor is an excellent athlete, a hard worker and very much team-oriented,” said Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr. “He fits right in with the kind of people we want in our organization, and he has a chance to develop into a very good player.”
The 6-7, 238-pound Griffin most recently appeared as a member of the Suns’ entry in the 2009 Las Vegas Summer League, where he averaged 6.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 steal in five games (all starts).
A four-year performer at the University of Oklahoma, Griffin enjoyed his best statistical season as a senior in 2008-09, averaging 9.6 points and 5.8 rebounds while starting all 36 games. Known for his hustle, the 23-year-old led the team in steals during his senior campaign and ranked second in blocks.
Griffin is a two-time Second-Team Academic All-Big 12 selection (2007, 2008) who became the fifth Oklahoma product drafted by Phoenix in franchise history, joining Ted Evans (1974), Tom Holland (1974), Ring of Honor member Alvan Adams (1975) and Bo Overton (1983).
The son of a high school basketball coach, Griffin was named the 2005 Gatorade Oklahoma Player of the Year as a senior in high school after leading his school to state titles in both his junior and senior seasons. He is the older brother of former Oklahoma teammate Blake Griffin, who was taken by the L.A. Clippers with the first overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft.