MSU graduate and basketball standout Charlie Bell didn’t share the dream of hearing his name called during the NBA Draft with fellow Spartans Jason Richardson (No. 5, Golden State), Zach Randolph (No. 19, Portland) and Andre Hutson (No. 52, Milwaukee) on June 27.
“I was OK with (the news),” Bell said of his draft status last week. “I got some work to do.”
When the draft ended, Bell’s phone was flooded with calls from the NBA’s New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns, asking Bell to try out for each team’s void at the backup point guard spot.
Of his three choices, Bell decided to head west to join the Suns - a place where he had pre-draft success, earning a spot on the all-tournament team and winning the three-point competition at the Nike Desert Classic in Tempe, Ariz.
David Griffin, Summer League Coordinator for the Suns, told The State News on Tuesday that Bell signed as a free agent, but said he was uncertain on what type of contract Bell agreed to.
“Typically (free agents) sign a make-good contract,” Griffin said. “Which means either a partial guarantee or no guarantee (to play).”
Griffin said Bell’s chances to make the Suns’ roster look good because the coaching staff includes two ex-Spartans - head coach Scott Skiles, an All-American point guard from 1982-86, and Jim Boylan, who was an assistant coach with Tom Izzo under Jud Heathcote from 1986-89.
“Scott Skiles is a big fan of Coach Izzo,” Griffin said. “He has a comfort level knowing that (Bell) knows how to play the game. Coach Skiles didn’t beat around the bush about the MSU thing.”
Bleeding green doesn’t guarantee contracts or success in the NBA, but Boylan said Bell has what his organization is looking for.
“We like his leadership,” Boylan said. “Someone to fill up a backup role - leadership is necessary to run a team.”
“He has a little more experience at point guard and you can’t put a price on knowing how to win.”
MSU assistant coach Mark Montgomery said Bell will bring what Phoenix needs physically, but maybe more importantly, he will help the team as a positive off-court presence.
“He’s going to bring toughness, working ability and experience,” Montgomery said. “He’s a great guy off the court - a solid citizen - and the NBA needs those types of players.”
Griffin, who has recruiting responsibilities for Phoenix, said Bell needs to work on being consistent with his outside shooting and decision-making, but the Suns are very impressed with his defensive prowess.
“A lot of people (with Phoenix) believe he can be a tremendous defensive player,” Griffin said.
On Tuesday, Bell began his stint in the Suns’ training camp with an individual workout in Los Angeles, which Griffin said is a good sign of making the Suns’ roster. Training camps for free agents and rookies begin Sunday, with two-a-day practices, and the team training camp begins in October.
Bell is one of 18 players in training camp - four (including Bell) are competing to back up Phoenix’s Stephon Marbury.
