Darius Bazley

Darius Denayr Bazley (born June 12, 2000) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Leones de Ponce of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN). He attended Princeton High School in Sharonville, Ohio after playing his first two years at Finneytown High School. He was a consensus five-star recruit and the top prospect in his state, earning McDonald's All-American honors in 2018. Bazley initially committed to and signed with Syracuse but later chose to bypass college with intentions of joining the NBA G League, a decision that drew national attention. However, he instead chose to train independently as an intern for New Balance throughout the season leading up to the 2019 NBA draft. In the draft, he was selected 23rd overall by the Utah Jazz before immediately being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies and then to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Bazley spent four seasons with the Thunder before being traded to the Phoenix Suns in 2023.