Tariq Owens signs two-way deal with the Phoenix Suns

Another former Red Raider has signed a two-way deal with an NBA team, this one with the Phoenix Suns. Tariq Owens, holder of the Texas Tech all-time record in single season blocks will now don the purple and orange in the NBA. Owens played on the Final Four team that made it to the National Championship game and went undrafted in this summer’s NBA Draft.

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Owens did however find his way onto the Sun’s Summer League team where he played well enough to earn an Exhibit 10 contract meaning he would go to the Sun’s Training Camp. After being cut, he signed with the Sun’s G-League affiliate, the Northern Arizona Suns. Owens has put up good numbers since joining the team. In addition to starting every game he has played in, he as averaged 9 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.

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He has also shot 58% from the field and 82% from the free throw line. He was also 12th in the G-League with 1.5 blocks per game. Owens will fill a need for the Suns more of playing the back-up power forward spot that has been riddled with injury the entire season for the Suns.

The Suns have not had a great season and that is ultimately part of the reason Owens has been signed to this deal now. He can still play in the G-League but will have some possibility of going up and playing in the NBA before the season’s end. With Dario Saric as the only healthy power forward on the Sun’s roster right now, Owens might be able to go in immediately and get some playing time at that position.