Valley Suns Overview
The Valley Suns are an American professional basketball team that competes in the NBA G League as the affiliate of the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association. Based in Tempe, Arizona, the Valley Suns play their home games at Mullett Arena located on the campus of Arizona State University. Officially established on February 14, 2024, the team represents the Phoenix Suns organization in developmental basketball, providing a platform for emerging players, two-way contract athletes, and aspiring professionals to showcase their abilities against competitive talent. With team colors of purple, orange, black, and white, the Valley Suns carry strong visual and organizational ties to their parent club, including shared ownership and management structures. In their inaugural 2024–25 season, the Valley Suns made an immediate impact by leading the West Division and qualifying for the G League playoffs, ultimately advancing to the conference semifinals.
The organization operates under the umbrella of the Phoenix Suns ownership group, with general manager Brendan Sabean overseeing basketball operations and Paul Jesperson serving as head coach beginning in the 2025 season. The team’s primary sponsors include Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona and Gila River Resorts & Casinos. The Valley Suns fill a significant gap in the Phoenix Suns developmental system, as the organization had been without a G League affiliate following the relocation of the Northern Arizona Suns to Detroit in 2020.
Founding and Organizational Origins
The establishment of the Valley Suns marked the completion of a multi-year effort by Phoenix Suns ownership to restore their developmental basketball pipeline. Following the sale of the Northern Arizona Suns to the Detroit Pistons in 2020, the Phoenix organization found itself as one of the few NBA teams without a G League affiliate. This changed when Mat Ishbia completed his primary ownership acquisition of the Phoenix Suns and identified bringing back a G League team as a top organizational priority.
On February 14, 2024, the Phoenix Suns officially announced they had acquired the rights to own and operate their new G League affiliate, marking the first time all 30 NBA teams had G League representation. The team revealed its name, logo, and home arena on May 22, 2024, selecting Valley Suns to reflect the Phoenix metropolitan area and broader Arizona landscape. Mullett Arena on the Arizona State University campus was chosen as the inaugural home venue, providing strong regional ties and accessible facilities for fans and players alike.
An expansion draft held on June 13, 2024, allowed the Valley Suns to select 14 unprotected returning players from other G League franchises. Notable selections included former NBA champion Quinndary Weatherspoon and former Phoenix Suns player Théo Maledon, establishing an experienced foundation for the roster. The front office, led by general manager Brendan Sabean, quickly set to work building a competitive roster through trades and player acquisitions, setting the stage for the inaugural season.
Growth Into NBA G League Competition
The Valley Suns’ entry into NBA G League competition came with ambitious preparations during the summer and fall of 2024. On September 3, 2024, the G League announced the Valley Suns’ inaugural schedule, with the opening game scheduled for November 8 on the road against the Santa Cruz Warriors. The home debut followed three days later against the Stockton Kings as part of the newly rebranded Tip-Off Tournament.
Building their roster continued through active trade negotiations. One day after the schedule announcement, the Valley Suns completed their first-ever trade, acquiring guard Jaden Shackelford from the Oklahoma City Blue in exchange for a 2025 first-round draft pick. Additional trades throughout September and October involved multiple G League teams including the Austin Spurs and Indiana Mad Ants, demonstrating aggressive roster construction efforts. These moves reflected the organization’s intent to compete immediately rather than undergo an extended rebuilding phase.
Valley Suns Competitive Journey
Since their establishment in February 2024, the Valley Suns have rapidly established themselves as a competitive force within the NBA G League Western Conference. The organization skipped any extended developmental phase, immediately fielding a roster capable of winning games and competing for playoff positioning. From the Tip-Off Tournament through the regular season and into the postseason, the Valley Suns demonstrated organizational competence and competitive resilience in their first year of operation.
Early Seasons and Development (2024–25)
The Valley Suns launched their inaugural season with the Tip-Off Tournament, a newly rebranded competition formerly known as the Showcase Tournament. The team dominated the group stage, finishing with a 10–4 record to capture the top seed in the West Division. This strong start generated immediate excitement among fans and established the Valley Suns as a legitimate contender in their debut campaign.
Despite the regular-season success, the Valley Suns faltered in the tournament finals, suffering a 127–119 defeat to the fourth-seeded Westchester Knicks. The loss served as a learning experience for the young organization but did not derail their overall momentum. By season’s end, the Valley Suns had compiled a 20–14 record, securing the fifth seed in the Western Conference playoffs and maintaining competitiveness throughout the long regular-season schedule.
Breakthrough in NBA G League (2024–25 Season)
The Valley Suns’ playoff debut proved historic for the fledgling franchise. Entering the postseason as the fifth seed, they faced the fourth-seeded Santa Cruz Warriors in the first round. In a thrilling contest, the Valley Suns secured their first-ever playoff victory with a 131–127 win, showcasing their offensive firepower and competitive resolve under pressure. This victory represented a significant milestone, validating the organization’s rapid build and establishing a winning culture from day one.
The conference semifinals presented a much stiffer challenge against the top-seeded Stockton Kings, the eventual G League champions. The Valley Suns fought valiantly but ultimately fell 122–114, concluding their remarkable inaugural season. Despite the playoff exit, the Valley Suns exceeded all reasonable expectations for a first-year franchise, demonstrating they could compete at the highest levels of developmental basketball while providing meaningful minutes to players who would contribute to the Phoenix Suns organization.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2025–Present)
Following their successful inaugural campaign, the Valley Suns entered the 2025–26 season with new leadership. Head coach John Little, who guided the team through its debut year, departed on July 19, 2025, to join the Phoenix Suns coaching staff under head coach Jordan Ott. This promotion reflected positively on the Valley Suns development program, demonstrating their ability to cultivate coaching talent.
Paul Jesperson was announced as the new head coach on August 18, 2025. Jesperson had served as an assistant coach during the inaugural season, providing continuity and institutional knowledge of the roster and organizational systems. His promotion represented a smooth transition that maintained the team’s competitive direction while allowing fresh perspectives on player development and game strategy.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
The Valley Suns operate with a clear developmental philosophy centered on providing the Phoenix Suns organization with game-ready talent. The team emphasizes player development, competitive intensity, and professional preparation, balancing immediate winning with long-term organizational growth. Playing in Mullett Arena provides an intimate, energetic atmosphere that challenges players to perform in front of passionate basketball audiences while maintaining the flexibility to test strategies and roster combinations.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
The Valley Suns’ brief history already includes several landmark achievements. The February 14, 2024 founding marked the completion of the NBA’s G League affiliate network, representing a significant moment for both the organization and professional basketball development. The first playoff victory on May 3, 2025, against the Santa Cruz Warriors provided an unforgettable milestone, while capturing the West Division championship in their inaugural season established the franchise as a sustainable contender rather than a temporary participant.
Valley Suns Achievements and Results
In their brief existence, the Valley Suns have already accumulated meaningful accomplishments that establish their competitive credibility. The organization achieved its primary first-season objectives by fielding a winning team, making the playoffs, and advancing to the conference semifinals while developing players for the Phoenix Suns system.
NBA G League Achievements
The Valley Suns captured the West Division championship in their inaugural 2024–25 season with a 20–14 regular-season record. This division title demonstrated immediate competitive success and provided a foundation for future championship pursuits. The team’s first playoff victory, a 131–127 win over the Santa Cruz Warriors, represented the franchise’s first postseason triumph and a memorable moment in organizational history.
Conference Achievements
In the Western Conference standings, the Valley Suns earned the fifth seed following a three-way tie with the Santa Cruz Warriors and Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Through tiebreaker procedures, the Valley Suns secured their playoff positioning and advanced to the conference semifinals, where they competed against the eventual G League champion Stockton Kings. This playoff run established the organization as a legitimate conference force in its debut season.
Divisional Achievements
Beyond the division championship title, the Valley Suns led the entire West Division with their 10–4 record during the Tip-Off Tournament. This early dominance signaled the team’s competitive intentions and provided momentum carrying through the regular season. The divisional success validated the organizational decisions made during the expansion draft and subsequent roster construction.
