C. J. Huntley Bio
C. J. Huntley (born January 6, 2002) is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Valley Suns of the NBA G League. Standing 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) and listed at 230 lb (104 kg), he is a power forward. Huntley is on a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns and joined the organization after going undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft. He played college basketball for the Appalachian State Mountaineers from 2020 to 2025.
Early Life and Background
Huntley was born in Huntersville, North Carolina, in the United States. He grew up in the Charlotte metropolitan area and attended Davidson Day School in Davidson, North Carolina, where he developed as a forward prospect. At Davidson Day, he balanced academics with a daily commitment to training, eventually emerging as one of the program’s most productive big men.
During his junior season at Davidson Day, Huntley averaged 14 points per game and helped lead his team to the quarterfinals of the NCISSA 2A playoffs. The squad finished 20-5, a strong result that helped bring him regional attention as a college prospect. His performance during that season laid the foundation for a scholarship offer from Appalachian State.
Path to Basketball
After completing his high school career, Huntley joined the Appalachian State Mountaineers, beginning a five-year collegiate run with the program. He transitioned to the college level in 2020 and used his early years to develop physically and refine his perimeter skills for a player of his size. The Sun Belt Conference became his primary competitive home as he grew into a starting role.
Huntley steadily expanded his responsibilities at Appalachian State, progressing from a reserve forward in his freshman year to a focal point of the offense by his senior campaign. He became Appalachian State’s thirty-seventh player to score 1,000 career points, joining a small group of program greats to reach that milestone. His combination of size, shooting touch, and rebounding made him a legitimate professional prospect, leading to an invitation to the 2025 NBA draft process.
C. J. Huntley Career
Early Career (2020-2025)
Huntley’s college career began modestly in his freshman year, when he appeared in 23 games, made three starts, and averaged 3.3 points. The opportunity to play in a Sun Belt Conference rotation allowed him to adjust to the speed and physicality of college basketball while adding muscle to his 6 ft 10 in frame. He continued to learn from older teammates and the Mountaineers’ coaching staff, who saw long-term potential in his skill set.
By his sophomore season, Huntley had grown into a dependable contributor, posting 200 points, 113 rebounds, and 18 assists while registering a career high of 20 points against South Alabama. As a junior, he averaged 9.2 points per game and set a personal best in rebounding, grabbing at least six boards in seventeen contests. During his senior year, he shot 54 percent from the field and 34 percent from beyond the arc, both career bests, and scored a then-career-high 22 points against Queens on December 13, 2023.
Appalachian State Breakthrough (2024-2025)
In his graduate senior season, Huntley became a true leader for the Mountaineers and produced his strongest statistical year. He averaged 15.7 points per game and crossed the 1,000-point threshold for his career, a milestone reserved for the most productive scorers in program history. His ability to stretch the floor as a 6 ft 10 in shooter created matchup problems across the Sun Belt Conference.
That senior campaign was capped by a Second-team All-Sun Belt selection in 2025, validating his growth and cementing his status as one of the top forwards in the league. The recognition positioned him for a professional opportunity once his college eligibility expired. He declared for the 2025 NBA draft as one of the more experienced big-man prospects in the pool.
Phoenix Suns Era (2025-Present)
After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft, Huntley signed a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns on June 26, 2025. The two-way deal allowed the organization to develop him between the NBA roster and its G League affiliate, the Valley Suns. He spent the early part of the season working within the Suns’ player development system before being waived on November 17, following the signing of guard Jamaree Bouyea.
Three days later, on November 20, 2025, the Valley Suns added Huntley to their active roster, where he could play regular minutes in the G League. On March 2, 2026, the Phoenix Suns re-signed him to a two-way contract after a two-way slot opened following Bouyea’s promotion to a standard NBA contract. Huntley made his NBA debut with the Suns on March 22, 2026, completing a long road from undrafted rookie to NBA player.
Driving Style and Strengths
Huntley is a 6 ft 10 in power forward whose game is built on perimeter shooting for his size, posting 34 percent from beyond the arc in his best college season. He combines that floor-spacing touch with effective rebounding, including a junior year in which he pulled down six or more boards in seventeen games. At 230 lb, he has the frame to defend multiple positions while continuing to expand his offensive game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Huntley’s signature college moment came in his graduate senior season, when he became the thirty-seventh Appalachian State player to reach 1,000 career points. He also earned Second-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2025, capping a five-year collegiate journey. On the professional side, his NBA debut with the Phoenix Suns on March 22, 2026, marked the first regular-season appearance of his pro career.
C. J. Huntley Career Wins
As a young professional, Huntley is still building his list of competitive wins. His most prominent team accomplishment to date is the Second-team All-Sun Belt selection he earned in 2025, which reflected his standing as one of the top forwards in the conference during his final college season. The NBA debut on March 22, 2026, also stands as a personal milestone in his early career.
Appalachian State Highlights
Huntley’s most memorable Appalachian State moments came in his graduate senior year, when he averaged 15.7 points per game and crossed the 1,000-point career threshold. He also produced a 22-point performance against Queens on December 13, 2023, then a career high. The Second-team All-Sun Belt nod in 2025 served as a fitting conclusion to his five years in Boone.
Other Wins & Performances
Before turning professional, Huntley helped Davidson Day reach the NCISAA 2A playoff quarterfinals in his junior year, finishing 20-5. He also posted a 20-point game against South Alabama as a sophomore, one of the first signs of his scoring potential. These early results helped shape the development path that ultimately carried him to the NBA G League and, eventually, the NBA.
C. J. Huntley Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available information about Huntley’s family background is limited. He grew up in Huntersville, North Carolina, and trained at Davidson Day School, but specific details about his parents and relatives are not widely documented.
Personal Life
Huntley focuses much of his public profile on his basketball career, having spent five years at Appalachian State before turning professional. He is not publicly known to be married, and details about a spouse or children have not been disclosed in verified sources. His residence is closely tied to the Phoenix Suns and Valley Suns organizations as he continues his development as a professional player.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year marked a major transition for Huntley. He completed his graduate senior season at Appalachian State, averaged 15.7 points per game, and earned Second-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2025, closing his college career on a high note. His performance was strong enough to draw attention from NBA teams despite projections that he might be a second-round pick or go undrafted.
Following the 2025 NBA draft, Huntley signed a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns on June 26, 2025, beginning his first professional chapter. He did not appear in an NBA game before being waived on November 17, 2025, after the Suns signed Jamaree Bouyea. The Valley Suns of the NBA G League added him to their active roster on November 20, giving him a regular platform to play and develop.
By the end of 2025, Huntley’s outlook was positive. He had secured a stable G League home with the Valley Suns and remained within the Phoenix Suns’ system. His mix of shooting touch, rebounding, and positional size made him a developmental project worth monitoring, with the door open for a future NBA call-up as he continued to refine his game.
