2024 Suns Player Review: Ish Wainright was there, then he wasn’t, then he was

Welcome to our Phoenix Suns Season in Review series where we do individual PLAYER REVIEWS of each man who contributed in the 2023-24 season. We go through the roster to analyze what went right/wrong for them, and what they can do to get better for next season.

Ish Wainright

• Position: Small Forward, Power Forward
• Vitals: 6’6”, 250lbs, 29 years old
• Experience: 2 Years
• Stats: 11 GP, 2.1 PPG (29.2 FG%, 35.0 3PT%), 2.1 APG

Contract Details

Ish Wainright is currently, on a two-way contract. This began on March 4, 2024.

Career Progression

Ishmail Carzell Wainright, began his professional basketball career, playing in Europe. Starting in 2018 with the Nürnberg Falcons BC, Rasta Vechta, and then onto SIG Strasbourg.

On, August 12th, 2021, Ish signed his first two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns. He made his NBA debut on November 19, 2021, at the end of a game against the Dallas Mavericks. (Hope the Boston Celtics sweep you, Luka),

April 6th of 2022 would see Wainright, achieve his best career numbers yet, with 20 points and 8 rebounds in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

A mere 4 days later, the Phoenix Suns, converted Ish to a standard contract.

Ish went onto the 2022 Summer League roster, as you would expect for someone of his “greenness”. Unfortunately, life had other plans.

Wainright had been dealing with severe back pain. Pain, which had been holding him back from his full potential. When you are built like a pro wrestler, back pain is inevitable. Then Ishmail’s Father, Pastor Calvin Wainright, passed away. Another tough setback for our “Strongman”. However, he persevered, with heart and a smile. We love this guy.

Onto February 2023, when Ish signed a two-year $2.5 Million deal with Phoenix, he was no longer limited. He was a part of our team.

In March, against the Mavericks, Ish came in late in the third quarter, to replace Josh Okogie (Okogie was 0-8 from 3PT, at this stage in the game). Wainright went on to hit 4 from 5, 3 pointers, and gain the win, 130-126. Now we are cooking,

Then we waived him. WTF? Ish was then picked up by the Portland Trailblazers. Then guess what? He was waived again. Coming back to The Valley in March 2024. On another 2-way contract.

Regular Season Recap

Only playing 62 minutes this season, how do you judge his performance? To do that, we go back to the good old eye test. I like what I have seen from Ish. He plays with heart, is a true teammate, and has a cool name.

Postseason Recap

Ish Wainright was ineligible, to take part in the postseason, as he was on a two-way contract.

Biggest Strength

Strength. Having a man of his size will help when defending bigger guys in the NBA. Combined with his shuttle speed, he is a defensive diamond in the rough.

Biggest Weakness

I personally, do not see a lot of weaknesses in his game, that can't be rectified, with more playing time. The more time he spends on the court, the better he will become.

What to Work On

With more playing time, we can than, analyze what needs to be worked on. Ish can only just keep grinding. Minutes, is the only real problem, for him right now.

Likelihood of Return: 8

Ish is a young player, with a lot of potential in front of him. He is young, healthy and most importantly, he is cheap.

Overall Grade C+

• Overall grade as an NBA player: C
• Relative grade to preseason expectations: D-