PHOENIX – Former UC Santa Barbara standout James Nunnally has signed a contract with the Phoenix Suns, the club announced over the weekend.
James Nunnally
Nunnally played four seasons for the Gauchos (2008-12) and was a three-time All-Big West choice. He completed his career as the school’s fourth all-time leading scorer with 1,685 points and, along with Orlando Johnson, he was part of the most potent one-two scoring punch in the program’s history.
Nunnally helped UCSB to three straight postseason bids (2010-12), including back-to-back NCAA Big West Tournament championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. He was named to the All-Big West Tournament Team three times.
In addition to ranking fourth all-time in scoring, Nunnally is sixth in three-point baskets (187), fifth in three-pointers attempted (484), fifth in field goals (558) and field goal attempts (1,201), ninth in rebounds (634), fourth in free throws (382), fifth in free throw attempts (487) and 11th in free throw percentage (.784).
Nunnally, 23, excelled for the Miami Heat during the 2013 Las Vegas Summer League, leading the team with 13.0 points per game while shooting 57.7 percent from the field and 63.0 percent beyond the three-point arc. His best performance came in Miami’s final contest against the Suns as Nunnally made 5-of-6 three-pointers and scored 21 of his 24 points in the second half to help erase a 20-point deficit in a game Phoenix held on to win 91-89.
Last season, the 6-7, 205-pound Nunnally played for the Suns’ D-League affiliate, the Bakersfield Jam, and averaged 10.3 points while connecting on 40.6 percent of his three-point attempts. He first gained NBA experience with the Sacramento Kings at the 2012 Las Vegas Summer League.
Nunnally’s former teammate, Orlando Johnson, is entering his second season with the Indiana Pacers.
