MM 11.2: Phoenix Suns will decline former Maryland men's basketball star Jalen Smith’s third-year option

The Phoenix Suns are planning to depart from former Maryland men's basketball star Jalen Smith, as the team reportedly will decline his third-year rookie option for next season, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

The move will make the 21-year-old an unrestricted free agent in 2022.

Smith has played in just two of the five games the Suns have had this season. In those two games, the 6-foot-10 Smith collected nine points and six rebounds.

The former Terp impressed during the preseason, averaging just over nine points and eight rebounds in four games. Smith also had a solid summer league before the season, collecting an average of around 16 points and 12.5 rebounds per game.

With the Suns expected to move on from Smith after this season, the former top-10 selection will need to look for a new NBA home for the 2022-23 season.

In other news

Matt Levine looked at the Big Ten and how each team in the conference will shape up for the upcoming men’s basketball season.

Dylan Spilko graded Maryland football’s positions after the 38-35 win over Indiana in College Park.

No. 4 Maryland women’s basketball star guard Ashley Owusu is entering the 2021-22 season with 901 career points and she will lead the Terps backcourt again this season.

No. 4 Maryland field hockey forward Hope Rose was awarded the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the third time this season.

No. 7 Maryland men's soccer showed a clip of defender Chris Rindov’s spectacular clear off the goal line against Indiana.

Maryland football quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa and wide receiver Carlos Carriere were given the program’s Offensive Player of the Week award.

The Maryland wrestling season is just under two weeks away.