It isn’t 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’s preseason finale on Tuesday displays why such efforts were made to ensure his citizenship with Planet Orange.
The 6-foot-9 forward has a 7-foot-5 wingspan and told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta on Friday that a majority of his moves on the court are just “instinctual.”
“I 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’s definitely an advantage as well,” Fleming said.
RELATED STORIES
Maluach, Fleming show potential in Suns' preseason finale
Rasheer Fleming picked by Timberwolves for Suns with No. 31 pick in NBA Draft
Rasheer Fleming picked by Timberwolves for Suns with No. 31 pick in NBA Draft
Fleming registered 31 minutes against L.A. after Phoenix was only about 48 hours removed from a two-preseason game trip to China.
While Doncic scored 25 points (7 of 15 shooting) in 22 minutes to go with four assists, he also had five turnovers.
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.
As Arizona Sports’ Kellan Olson pointed out previously in this space, Fleming not only has wingspan at his disposal but “ridiculous strides and agility” that caught NBA vets off guard.
The 21-year-old out of Saint Joseph’s 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’s defensive prowess has already caught the eye of fellow new Sun Dillon Brooks, who knows a thing or two about the craft.
“I think one of things I’ve picked up on (Brooks) the most defensively is how uncomfortable he makes his defenders,” Fleming said. “He doesn’t really give them too much space to operate.”
Rasheer Fleming making an introduction, Khaman Maluach still warming up
Suns rookie Khaman Maluach, to those who know him best, is a talker.
He hasn’t shown it yet, but Fleming confirmed as much of the 7-footer affectionately known as “Man Man.”
“You can’t get him to stop talking. He’s making everybody laugh for sure,” Fleming said.
The Duke product out of South Sudan doesn’t limit himself to just chirping everyone’s ears off but sings and brings music everywhere he goes.
“Always listening to music, you know, he takes the music to the locker room, to the showers,” Fleming said. “If he’s not on the court, he’s making sure to listen to some music.”
Follow @pwmoses11
Hence then, the article about suns rookie rasheer fleming relished defense of lakers luka doncic in preseason finale was published today ( ) and is available on Arizona sports ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Suns rookie Rasheer Fleming relished defense of Lakers’ Luka Doncic in preseason finale )
Also on site :
- UNC women’s basketball opener moved to Nov. 4
- Trump says he has commuted sentence of former US Rep. George Santos in federal fraud case
- Michael Cole Replaced In Huge Changes Made To WWE SmackDown