The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Former Blazer Elijah Millsap Inks Multiyear Deal with Suns
4/10/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Courtesy of Phoenix Suns
PHOENIX, Ariz. -- The Phoenix Suns have signed guard Elijah Millsap to a multiyear contract. The two-year NBA veteran played with the Northern Arizona Suns this season and was the Suns' NBA Development League affiliate's leading scorer in the team's inaugural campaign.
A 6-6, 215-pound guard, Millsap averaged 4.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 16.4 minutes over 67 games in two seasons with the Utah Jazz from 2014-16. Millsap has six double-digit scoring performances in his NBA career with a high of 17 points versus the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 25, 2015.
The 49th GATORADE Call-Up in the NBA this season, Millsap averaged a team-high 19.7 points in addition to 7.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 50 games (all starts) with the NAZ Suns this season. The 29-year-old led the NAZ Suns with 13 double-doubles and had the highest-scoring game in team history with a career-high 38 points in the season finale at Reno on April 1.
"It feels good to know that I have some stability going into the summer," Millsap said. "I appreciate the Suns tracking my progression throughout the season and for having the faith in me that I can help them in the near future."
This past season marked Millsap's sixth NBA D-League season as he also played with Tulsa in 2010-11, Los Angeles from 2011-14 and Bakersfield in 2014-15. A 2012 NBA D-League All-Star, Millsap has averaged 18.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 205 total D-League appearances.
A native of Grambling, Louisiana, Millsap played his final collegiate season at UAB where he earned All-Conference USA first-team honors after averaging 16.1 points and 9.5 rebounds in 2009-10. In addition to his time in the NBA and D-League, Millsap has played professionally for clubs in Israel and the Philippines. He is the younger brother of Atlanta Hawks forward and four-time NBA All-Star Paul Millsap.
"We couldn't be happier for Elijah and his family," UAB head coach Robert Ehsan said. "He's been a terrific player for his entire professional career, so it's exciting to see him rewarded for all his hard work. I'm certain everyone in the Blazer family can't wait to see him suit up with the Suns."
Millsap will wear number 22 in honor of former Blazer Cameron Moore, who tragically passed away last October.
"It's an honor to wear Cam's number on my jersey," Millsap added. "He really inspired me to push forward this year and achieve my dreams."
For more information on UAB men's basketball, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_MBB), Instagram (@blazerhoops) and Snapchat (@UAB_MBB).
