Suggs’ breakout season

SEATTLE — Scott Suggs doesn’t know how long it’s going to last. And the laid-back University of Washington junior really doesn’t much seem to care.

After making the first two starts of his UW career, Suggs may well go back to the bench for today’s game against Ar

izona State. Or he might stay in the starting lineup well into the postseason.

It really doesn’t matter to Suggs.

“Either way, whatever,” he said of starting versus coming off the bench.

After a long indoctrination into the world of college basketball, Suggs finally made his way into the starting lineup earlier this week when the Huskies played at California. With sophomore point guard Abdul Gaddy out for the season because of a knee injury, coach Lorenzo Romar likes the 6-foot-5 Suggs in the backcourt so opponents can’t put bigger guards on 5-9 Isaiah Thomas.

“With his size and ability to knock the shot down, somebody has to guard him — someone taller,” Romar said Thursday night. “Scott also doesn’t make very many mistakes, and I think he brings some stability to that first unit.”

The lineup adjustment also returns senior guard Venoy Overton to his role as energy-provider from the bench.

“Venoy has a big impact on our team, especially where he’s playing now,” senior Justin Holiday said. “He brings us energy.”

Even before Gaddy went down with the injury 21/2 weeks ago, Suggs was having a breakout season. He emerged as the Huskies’ most consistent outside shooter off the bench and was averaging 16.1 minutes and 7.1 points per game while hitting a team-high 49 percent of his shots from 3-point range.

In two games as a starter, Suggs still appears to be adjusting to that role. He has scored seven total points in a pair of double-digit wins over Cal and Arizona but has provided other elements that have helped UW be successful.

“He’s playing well, and he’s playing good defense and getting boards,” Holiday said. “So Scott’s really helping us in the starting lineup.”

Suggs came to UW after an impressive career at Missouri’s Washington High School, where he was named the state player of the year. But he played just 85 total minutes as a freshman and averaged less than 14 minutes and 4.7 points per game as a sophomore last season.

Suggs, whose father is a longtime friend of Romar, has come into his own as a junior. He ranks sixth on the team in scoring (6.6 points per game) and leads the Pac-10 in 3-point percentage (48.1). After hitting double-digits in points just four times in his first two seasons at UW, he’s already done it five times in 2010-11.

“You always want to be able to contribute to the team,” he said.

Since Gaddy got hurt, Suggs has been able to contribute at a different level.

“It’s never good when somebody goes down,” he said. “Obviously, Gaddy was a big part of the team. But it’s just an opportunity for guys to step up — everybody, not just me.”