More than 12,000 fans submitted names for the team. The one who was selected? The Valley Suns. This is what the G-League team affiliated with the NBA franchise based in Phoenix will be called. The only one not to have a G-League team since the Northern Arizona Suns (2016-2021) were sold to the Pistons by the club's former owner, Robert Sarver.
“ Ironically, I was the one who bought the team from the Suns and moved it to Detroit, and three years later, I'm here. It's really very important. The G-League is a staple for many NBA franchises “, note Josh Bartelsteinthe CEO of the Suns, after having been stationed at the Pistons.
The rise starts here.
Learn more ➡️ https://t.co/ZdbTPb8RRn pic.twitter.com/AXTLEvD0lv
— Valley Suns (@GLeagueSuns) May 22, 2024
The manager considers that this new entity, which will play its home games on the campus of Arizona State University, will offer fans “ an energetic and family atmosphere while developing budding talents on and off the field. We are excited to launch the new G-League team with a name and identity chosen by our fans and inspired by the unique desert landscape we call our own. »
A league that is gaining in depth
The Valley Suns logo features flickering “V” and “S” shaped flames that come together to create a spherical sun-shaped icon. The triangles in the logo represent the peaks that surround the Valley of the Sun and symbolize the ascent to the summit. The team's orange and purple colors were obviously inspired by the Suns and Phoenix Mercury. This is what the 32nd team in this championship will bring together.
“ Our league has never been so rich in talent. I believe this year we hit a peak with 60% of NBA players having G-League experience. Over the last two years, we've had almost 100 draft picks, first round picks, that have played in our league. And last year, half of the lottery picks played in our league. When Valley residents come to see the Valley Suns, they see the future stars of the NBA », Promises Shareef Abdur-Rahim, the president of the league.
Josh Bartelstein recalls that players like Bol Bol, Grayson Allen and Damion Lee, members of the first team, “ More and more are starting their careers in the G-League and developing, learning our system, learning how we want to play, and one day contributing to the next step of playing games “.
