The newly established G League Suns are focused on strengthening the NBA Suns’ roster by developing talent and providing a pathway for players to advance to the professional level.
The newly formed G League Suns are set to play a crucial role in enhancing the Phoenix Suns’ roster, aiming to nurture talent and build a winning culture from the ground up. Based in Phoenix, Arizona—a city widely known for producing top-tier basketball talent—the Suns’ new affiliate, the Valley Suns, will work closely with the NBA team to develop players and help them transition into the professional ranks.
The Phoenix Suns, established in 1968, are the oldest NBA franchise still searching for their first championship, despite the city’s reputation as a basketball hotbed. The launch of the G League Suns signals a new chapter for the organization as they focus heavily on player development. The Valley Suns, designed as an internal development pathway for the NBA Suns, opened their inaugural season this past weekend with a series of games against the Santa Cruz Warriors.
The team started their campaign with a challenging loss on Friday, falling 135-121 to the Warriors, but bounced back on Saturday with a solid 133-104 victory. Looking ahead, the Valley Suns will have their home opener on Monday night against the Stockton Kings at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona.
At the helm of the Valley Suns is head coach John Little, who brings a wealth of experience, having worked alongside Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer in the Milwaukee Bucks organization. Little emphasized the importance of aligning the Valley Suns’ style of play with the NBA Suns’ philosophy. “We want to be pretty much right in line with the Suns,” Little stated. “We want to play fast, play together, be unselfish, and compete at a high level. Those are very important core values for the Suns.”
Joining Little in the front office is Brendan Sabean, a former assistant general manager with the Austin Spurs, the G League affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs. Sabean is focused on establishing a strong organizational culture that will complement the NBA Suns’ objectives. “A big part of Suns basketball is winning and a winning culture,” Sabean explained. “Having a coach and players with experience at the highest levels will help this thing get off the ground smoothly.”
One player to watch on the Valley Suns is Collin Gillespie, a 6-foot-1 point guard who is expected to play a significant role with the team. Gillespie, currently on a two-way contract with the NBA Suns, impressed during his time with the Grand Rapids Gold in the G League, where he averaged 21.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 10.5 assists per game last season. His G League performance included four triple-doubles, highlighting his ability to contribute across multiple facets of the game. Now with the Valley Suns, Gillespie sees the G League as a valuable opportunity to refine his skills and develop his game for the NBA. “If I’m not going to be playing for the Suns, the best way to get better is by playing live minutes,” he said. “I can work on my ball handling, my passing, and expanding my game in ways that I might not have the chance to do in an NBA game.”
Another player to watch is Jalen Bridges, an undrafted rookie who was signed to a two-way contract with the Suns after a solid college career with West Virginia and Baylor. The 6-foot-8 forward has the potential to be a key contributor for the Valley Suns, especially with his shooting ability and strong defensive skills. He’s seen the G League as an essential step in his development. “It’s an adjustment period,” Bridges acknowledged. “It’s the first time in my career I’ve had to sit out games. I’m trying to stay present and take advantage of the opportunity to grow.”
The Valley Suns are the last NBA team to establish a G League affiliate, but they’ve made a significant investment in their new team. They’ll play their home games at Mullett Arena, a 5,000-seat venue on the campus of Arizona State University. This modern facility, used by both the men’s and women’s hockey teams, provides a state-of-the-art practice environment that rivals many NBA setups. Several G League players have spoken highly of the facility, with guard Olin Carter III saying, “Being in this facility makes you feel like you are in the NBA. It’s a real NBA-like feel.”
For the players, the amenities provided by the Verizon 5G Performance Center, the Suns’ practice facility, allow them to focus entirely on basketball and development. Cassius Stanley, a guard with NBA experience, appreciates the professional atmosphere, noting that the facilities are among the best he’s encountered in the G League. “The 5G Performance Center is definitely up there with any NBA facility I’ve been in,” he said. “It helps a lot because it takes away distractions and allows us to focus on getting better.”
Stanley, 25, is returning to the U.S. after a season in Israel, eager to make an impact on the Valley Suns and eventually earn a spot back in the NBA. A former ACC All-Freshman at Duke, Stanley has overcome several obstacles in his career, including a recent shin surgery. He’s more motivated than ever, using his experience to fuel his drive to get back to the NBA. “It brings an extra level of hunger seeing how quickly basketball can be taken away,” Stanley shared. “Now it’s about being consistent with what I know I’m capable of.”
The Valley Suns’ 24-game home schedule will take place at Mullett Arena, where fans can expect to see a wide array of talent. Sabean highlighted the level of competition in the G League, saying, “One of the coolest parts about the G League is that every game you see former lottery picks, former draft picks, and former All-Americans. There are going to be players, whether on our team or on other teams, that fans will recognize.”
One of the most anticipated matchups will be against the South Bay Lakers, the G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers. The Valley Suns will face the Lakers four times in the regular season, including two back-to-back games in December at Mullett Arena. With Bronny James, the son of NBA superstar LeBron James, expected to spend much of the season with the South Bay Lakers, these games are sure to draw plenty of attention from local fans eager to see the next generation of NBA talent.
The Valley Suns also feature some notable family connections. David Stockton, the son of Hall of Fame point guard John Stockton, joins the team as a veteran presence. At 33, Stockton has a wealth of experience, having spent time in the G League and with the now-defunct G League Ignite. He’s committed to helping the younger players on the team develop their game. “It was a learning experience for me, being teammates with kids that young,” Stockton said. “I had to show them how to be a professional every day.”
The Valley Suns also feature local talent like TyTy Washington and Paul Watson, both of whom have deep ties to Arizona. Washington, who starred at Cesar Chavez High School and later at AZ Compass Prep, signed a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns in August. For him, playing at home is a dream come true. “It’s going to be fun,” Washington said. “My family is going to be there, and the whole city is going to be behind me.”
With a clear focus on player development, establishing a winning culture, and bringing excitement to the Valley, the Valley Suns are poised to make an immediate impact in the G League. Under the leadership of coach John Little and general manager Brendan Sabean, the team is committed to fostering talent, developing future NBA players, and making the most of every opportunity. As the franchise’s inaugural season kicks off, the Valley Suns are ready to build something special and help lay the foundation for the Phoenix Suns’ future success.
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