Suns' Alex Len helped by Tim Duncan, Tyson Chandler

(Photo: Jasmine Coro/Special to the Republic)Just five years ago, Alex Len was staying up or waking up at 3 a.m. in Ukraine to watch his idol, Tim Duncan, play a sport that Len had picked up only four years prior.

Two years ago, Len progressed to being a No. 5 draft pick and entered a preseason game in awe of being matched up against Duncan.

This summer, the idol became a mentor. Len visited San Antonio for three days in August to work with Duncan, a 19th-year Spurs star -- from the dark side for Suns fans -- helping the bright future of the Suns' 22-year-old center.

“He was super-cool about it,” Len said. “He was one of the nice players I’ve ever met in my life. He is one of the most humble…