Gonzaga players in the NBA: Jalen Suggs slated to start Orlando's opener

With the NBA season about to tip off, here's a glance at how former Gonzaga players are performing

While Tillie, was waived over the weekend, he's guaranteed $1.9 million from the club. Clarke meanwhile is set to make over $50 million in four years (photo courtesy of Memphis Grizzlies on Twitter). 

Former Gonzaga players in the NBA are having an up-and-down week as the league gets ready to tip off on Tuesday. 

Jalen Suggs, heading into his sophomore season, suffered a leg injury in a preseason game over a week ago but is slated to start in the Orlando Magic’s season opener on Wednesday. Suggs took on a left knee sprain and a bone bruise after setting a ball screen for teammate Paolo Banchero, which had him out for Orlando’s last two preseason runs.

However, the former Gonzaga standout is expected to be in the Magic’s rotation when they travel to face the Detroit Pistons in a couple of days. Prior to his injury, Suggs was averaging 3.8 points, 1.7 assists and a steal in the preseason.

Some more really good news for the Zags faithful out of Memphis Grizzlies camp, with Brandon Clarke and the organization having just agreed on a four-year, $52 million extension. Clarke has gone from Gonzaga’s single-season block leader (until Chet Holmgren happened last year) into a high-level role player on one of the West’s top teams.

At 26 years old, Clarke finished last season top-five in the NBA in several categories like second-chance points and offensive rebounds. He was vital on the offensive glass for Memphis during their unprecedented postseason run last season, averaging 3.1 offensive boards a game which was the most of any player with a minimum of ten games, according to ESPN.

Through three NBA seasons, Clarke has been averaging almost 11 points a game on 59% field goal shooting. With the former Zag secured long-term, the Grizzlies now have a young core of Clarke, Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and John Kochar solidified for the next few seasons at least.

Former Zag Killian Tillie, undrafted out of Gonzaga, has been waived by Memphis. Tillie saw spot minutes for the Grizzlies for the better part of two seasons, even cracking into a starting role four times. He ended up being the odd man out when Memphis had to condense their roster from 16 to 15 players, and now he’ll have to seek employment elsewhere for the 2022-23 season.

The Grizzlies still owe Tillie almost $2 million in guaranteed money, which should give him a nice cushion to look for another opportunity in the NBA on a two-way or overseas.