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Suns sign Alex Len, No. 5 draft pick, to contract

Alex Len signed a contract with the Suns on Thursday. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/Getty Images)

Alex Len underwent surgery for a stress fracture in his right ankle. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/Getty Images)

The Phoenix Suns have signed first-round pick Alex Len to a contract, the team said Thursday.

The 7-foot-1 Len, who was the fifth overall pick in the draft, entered the draft after playing two seasons at Maryland. Before attending Maryland, he came to the United States from his native Ukraine.

He's seen as having enormous potential, especially after making strides in his second season at Maryland. Last season, he averaged 11.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game with the Terrapins.

Len does come with some injury concerns. In July, he underwent ankle surgery for the second time in two months.

“As a precautionary measure, our medical staff determined that it would be prudent to perform surgery on Alex Len’s right ankle at this time,” Suns president Lon Babby said in a statement at the time. “That surgery was successfully completed this morning. As part of a routine evaluation, our medical team identified the very beginnings of a stress fracture in Alex’s right ankle even though Alex was entirely asymptomatic.”