{"id":311841,"date":"2025-10-17T22:31:11","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T22:31:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/311841\/"},"modified":"2025-10-17T22:31:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T22:31:11","slug":"suns-rasheer-fleming-relished-guarding-luka-doncic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/311841\/","title":{"rendered":"Suns’ Rasheer Fleming relished guarding Luka Doncic"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n

It isn\u2019t lost on NBA rookie Rasheer Fleming how much the Phoenix Suns maneuvered to nab him at No. 31 in the 2025 draft. And his defense on Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic in the team\u2019s preseason finale on Tuesday displays why such efforts were made to ensure his citizenship with Planet Orange.<\/p>\n

The 6-foot-9 forward has a 7-foot-5 wingspan<\/a> and told\u00a0Arizona Sports\u2019 Bickley & Marotta\u00a0on Friday that a majority of his moves on the court are just \u201cinstinctual.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI got a deflection on Luka. Just doing little things like that I feel like gives me an advantage, and like I say with guarding guys, it\u2019s definitely an advantage as well,\u201d Fleming said.<\/p>\n

Fleming registered 31 minutes against L.A. after Phoenix was only about 48 hours removed from a two-preseason game trip to China.<\/p>\n

While Doncic scored 25 points (7 of 15 shooting) in 22 minutes to go with four assists, he also had five turnovers.<\/p>\n

Fleming got the start opposite Doncic as the Suns rested their regulars, and he scored nine points with five rebounds, a block and a steal with a +3 plus-minus.<\/p>\n

As\u00a0Arizona Sports\u2019 Kellan Olson pointed out previously in this space<\/a>, Fleming not only has wingspan at his disposal but \u201cridiculous strides and agility\u201d that caught NBA vets off guard.<\/p>\n

The 21-year-old out of Saint Joseph\u2019s managed to get up only 18 shot attempts in his 68 total minutes over four preseason games, so his offensive chops in the pro ranks remain to be seen. But Fleming\u2019s defensive prowess has already caught the eye of fellow new Sun Dillon Brooks, who knows a thing or two about the craft.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think one of things I\u2019ve picked up on (Brooks) the most defensively is how uncomfortable he makes his defenders,\u201d Fleming said. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t really give them too much space to operate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rasheer Fleming making an introduction, Khaman Maluach still warming up<\/p>\n

Suns rookie Khaman Maluach, to those who know him best, is a talker.<\/p>\n

He hasn\u2019t shown it yet, but Fleming confirmed as much of the 7-footer affectionately known as \u201cMan Man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t get him to stop talking. He\u2019s making everybody laugh for sure,\u201d Fleming said.<\/p>\n

The Duke product out of South Sudan doesn\u2019t limit himself to just chirping everyone\u2019s ears off but sings and brings music everywhere he goes.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlways listening to music, you know, he takes the music to the locker room, to the showers,\u201d Fleming said. \u201cIf he\u2019s not on the court, he\u2019s making sure to listen to some music.\u201d<\/p>\n

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