'Stay ready': Phoenix Suns guard Hunter Hale looks to build off 21-point NBA Summer League debut

LAS VEGAS — Hunter Hale lives by a motto that paid off Tuesday night in Las Vegas.

“I always say ‘stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready,’” he said.

After not playing in the Phoenix Suns’ first two NBA Summer League games, Hale got the call Tuesday and delivered a game-high 21 points off the bench, hitting 6-of-12 shots from 3 in an 82-73 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans at Cox Pavilion.

“I just wanted to make an impact on the game on both ends with my energy,” said Hale, who added four rebounds, four assists and committed just one turnover in 24 minutes and 38 seconds.

The Suns (1-2) continue summer league action Friday against the Utah Jazz at Cox Pavilion.

“We all are focused on winning the game and putting in more effort so we can compete with a good Utah squad,” Hale said. “For me personally, Friday’s game is the same approach. I think I can clean a few things up both offensively and defensively and I can play with some more confidence as well.”

Hale was coming off a big season overseas playing for KK Borac Cacak in the Adriatic (ABA) League Liga in Serbia. The 6-4 guard averaged 22.2 points and shot 36.4% from 3.

From Kalamazoo, Michigan, Hale, who finished his college career at Winthrop after playing for Central Michigan and Grand Valley State University, is looking to make the Suns as a two-way player.

NBA teams can have three two-way players.

However, Hale didn’t see any action in Phoenix’s first two summer league games.

“It was tough to watch of course because you want to play and showcase your abilities but in the same breath, I understand that everything is a process and that my time would come,” he said. “I just wanted to cheer on my teammates and be a voice from the bench that they could rely on. Being a professional is understanding there will be nights you don’t play, but you still need to be ready when your name is called.”

Hale’s name was called Tuesday.

With Jordan Goodwin still out with left knee soreness and second-round pick Toumani Camara resting on the second of a back-to-back, the Suns were down their top two players.

Hale got his chance and scored eight points off the bench in the first quarter.

Yep. He was ready.

“I was ready before the ball was tipped off,” he said. “… That was mindset coming in.”

After the game, congratulations followed in abundance.

“It was cool because I knew how many people I made smile and all the kids that watched that I inspired as well,” he said. “I love bringing joy to others through this game.”

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

Support local journalism. Start your online subscription.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Hunter Hale looks to build off big NBA Summer League debut for Phoenix Suns