The newest guard on the Phoenix Suns won't be needing an introduction to ASU basketball fans.
Former Sun Devils star Eddie House signed a two-year deal with the Suns on Monday, marking his return to the state where he first rose to prominence. House - the Pac-10 player of the year in his senior season at ASU - narrowed his choices to Miami and Phoenix before choosing the run-and-gun Suns.
"It was a conversation I had with Coach [Mike D'Antoni]," that made him decide to play for the Suns, House said. "I really liked what he had to say. It would have been nice to go play with Shaq and Dwyane Wade in Miami, but this was a perfect opportunity for me."
House bounced around last season, averaging 5.8 points and 1.4 assists in 68 games for Charlotte, Milwaukee and Sacramento.
He found his niche after latching on with the Kings in January and went on to set career highs in field goal (.451) and 3-point (.454) shooting percentage for the year.
Joining the Suns figures to play right into his strengths.
"I think it's a great fit," ASU men's basketball coach Rob Evans said. "It will really showcase his skills."
House said that the style of play the Suns use was a major factor in the decision.
"They get up and down the floor," House said. "It's a fast-paced game, and I like that."
House graduated from ASU in 2000 after finishing as the school's all-time leading scorer with 2,044 points. He was named an Honorable Mention All-American as a senior, and scored 61 points in a double-overtime victory at California on Jan. 8, 2000.
The 61 points tied Lew Alcindor for the most points ever in a Pac-10 contest.
"Everyone always talks about the game against Cal, but that was more sentimental than anything else because my family got to see it," House said. "Just being there, period," was House's favorite part of playing at ASU.
Since House entered the league in 2000, only Mike Batiste and Awvee Storey have made the NBA from Tempe. But first-round draft pick Ike Diogu will be added to that list once the regular season commences.
"It's a great thing," House said. "It was myself and [New Orleans coach] Byron Scott for the longest time, that was it. Arizona State hasn't been represented lately."
Although he hasn't talked to Diogu one-on-one, House has advice for the Golden State rookie.
"He got drafted in a great position," House said. "I would just tell him 'don't change your game, do what got you here.' He's just got to have fun with it."
The Suns will be House's sixth team in as many years. He said that as he gets older, priorities shift when choosing a basketball home.
"When you're younger, you're just trying to find a spot," House said. "I've been in the league long enough that guys know what I can do. It's about finding the best situation."
Since he just signed with Phoenix a few days ago, House's role isn't set yet. The common belief is that House is more suited for off-guard than the point, but Evans doesn't think that's necessarily the case.
"He played the point a little for us," Evans said. "He can play there, we just wanted him off the ball because he moves so well without it."
House has played both positions in the NBA and is fine with whatever role Phoenix wants him in.
"I'll play whatever," House said. "I'm about competing. Winning speaks for itself, and that's noticed more than putting up numbers on a bad team. My goal is to help us win any way that I can."
Reach the reporter at kyle.odegard@asu.edu.
