Former Wildcats guard Allonzo Trier settled in nicely in his debut with the New York Knicks at summer league, scoring 15 points Saturday.

 Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star

It was a quiet Saturday for former Arizona Wildcats in NBA Summer League in terms of how many former UA players were on the court, but the marquee matchups didn’t disappoint.

In his professional debut with the New York Knicks, Allonzo Trier played the most out of anyone on the team. That includes No. 9 overall NBA Draft pick Kevin Knox.

Trier was installed into the starting lineup as the shooting guard alongside Frank Ntilikina, Knox, Damyean Dotson and Mitchell Robinson in the Knicks’ 91-89 win over the Hawks. His task? Switching between both guard spots and defending Trae Young as well as former Oregon Duck Tyler Dorsey.

Trier contributed 15 points on 5-of-12 shooting, six rebounds and four assists in 31 minutes. Knox and Ntilikina played 30 minutes. Trier played his best at point guard when he spaced the floor and pushed the tempo. At UA, Trier was the backup point guard whenever Parker Jackson-Cartwright rested, so he was already familiar with orchestrating an offense as a non-scorer.

At plus-four, Trier was the only Knicks starter to have a positive plus-minus. He said he felt comfortable adjusting to the fast-paced game, and that the NBA style of play would be more beneficial for his individual growth.

β€œIt fits my game a lot better, I have a little bit more room to operate,” Trier said. β€œAlso the biggest change is probably the physicality on cutting and things like that, where in college it’s more freedom of movement, but when you go to the rim, guys can’t put their hands on you so offensive guys can really get their own shot and make plays so it really helps me become a better player out here.”

The undrafted guard signed a two-way deal with the Knicks earlier in the month, and is expected to make a base salary of $75,000, and up to $385,000 depending on how much time he spends with the NBA club. Trier said he looks forward to playing in Madison Square Garden.

But like any player entering the NBA, fit is important.

β€œIt was a team that was really high on me already, but after I worked out with them, I stayed in communication with them,” Trier said. β€œI thought I was gonna be taken by them at (No. 36). ... The priority for them was to get a big first so they went with (Mitchell Robinson), which is totally understandable.

β€œI had a chance to get picked from about 40 on, and they were all places that I thought weren’t great fits so we turned down pretty much everybody after that and decided that we were going to go with the Knicks because that was the best fit for me in the first place.”

What makes the Knicks an ideal franchise for Trier to start his NBA career? According to the former Wildcat, first-year head coach David Fizdale admired what Trier could possibly add to a franchise looking to return to the winning spotlight.

β€œJust the opportunity I’m coming into. Coach (Fizdale) was really high on me and it’s just a great staff,” Trier said. β€œWe just thought it was a great place to come in and start my NBA journey. Instead of hearing my name called on draft night and go to a team that I didn’t think was a better fit or value me, I decided to hold off and go to a team that fits me right.”

Deandre Ayton dunks against the Mavericks in his NBA debut Friday. The Suns' No. 1 pick is off to a hot start.

Ayton has double-double

No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick Deandre Ayton’s 21-point, 12-rebound performance lifted the Phoenix Suns in a 71-61 win over the Sacramento Kings. The former Wildcat standout said after his debut on Friday that he was anxious to play for the Suns and that it took time to adjust to the NBA.

He told reporters after Saturday’s game, β€œSee, I told you it was just butterflies.”

Ayton was matched up against No. 2 overall pick and Phoenix native Marvin Bagley III. Ayton and Bagley were teammates at Hillcrest Prep in Phoenix, and it was the first time they played against each other since high school.

β€œIt was fun. We were going at it, especially on the glass,” Ayton said. β€œHe got a lot stronger. He worked on his game a lot and there was a few moves and said, β€˜Yo those are NBA moves, just keep doing it.’ Me and Marvin have been in the spotlight since high school.

β€œWe’ve been competing against each other, we know each other’s game and we have a lot of respect for each other off the court as well. … We just knew we had to go at each other and put on a show for the fans.”

Ayton had a relatively quiet first half, only attempting two field goals.

β€œI told my teammates, β€˜If you don’t see the pass, don’t force it.’”

Ayton picked up steam in the second half and went 8 of 11 from the field to finish with 22 minutes while holding Bagley to 15 points and seven rebounds.

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