Suns' Len saves friend from drowning during Dominican Republic trip

It turns out Alex Len's 7-foot-1, 260-pound frame is good for more than just rebounding and posting up against big men.

During a trip to the Dominican Republic last month, Len played the role of lifeguard after his friend, Jay Johnson, decided to swim in the harsh sea waters despite previous warnings from the Phoenix Suns center.

After jumping into several waves, Johnson was pulled down and unable to get back to shore. Panicking, Johnson called out for help, leading Len to respond by sprinting toward the water to help his friend.

"I thought I was going to die," Jay Johnson told Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic. "He risked his life for me. Nobody knows how far gone I was."

Despite being a strong swimmer, Len had difficulty rescuing Johnson, as the waves continued to knock the two back into the water. A nearby lifeguard eventually handed Len a rope, and the duo were able to make their way back to shore.

"By the time I got to him, he was halfway passed out," Len said. "He couldn’t swim. He wasn’t moving. If I would’ve come a couple minutes later, he probably would’ve drowned."

While Len's actions were nothing short of heroic, the 22-year-old doesn't feel he did anything special, as he was just trying to help a friend in need.

"I didn’t feel like it at the moment," Len said. "I was just trying to help Jay."