TEMPE, Ariz. — Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner Mat Ishbia completed the pro basketball trifecta in the Valley with the announcement of the NBA G-League’s Valley Suns coming to Tempe. The Suns’ minor league team will play at Mullett Arena on the campus of Arizona State University beginning this November.
Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein told 12News on Wednesday that bringing a G-League team to the greater Phoenix area was part of Ishbia’s plan when he agreed to purchase the Suns and Mercury for $4 billion in December 2022.
“When Mat and I first met we had a list of things we wanted to do. You've heard all about this list from All-Star Games to arena renovations and this was on there,” Bartelstein said. “[We’re] Making sure we have a G-League team like everyone else to support development in basketball and business.”
Mullett Arena is located approximately 20-30 minutes away from both Footprint Center and the Suns practice facility in Phoenix. The Suns have had affiliates located in Albuquerque, Bakersfield, and Prescott Valley but having the Valley Suns in such close proximity to their NBA club should streamline the development process within the organization from top to bottom.
“To have it this close where [Suns General Manager] James Jones can come out and see the team and those young players see him there. Josh Bartelstein can come out and see the team and that'll mean the world,” NBA G-League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim said. “The Suns have shown a commitment to developing young talent. Not just players but people in general. Coaches, trainers, and young businesspeople will all have opportunity to train and grow here. And then our fans, they get a proximity here at Mullett Arena that you can't get anywhere else.”
There are several current Suns players that have logged a lot of G-League minutes in their careers including Grayson Allen and fan favorite Bol Bol. With the affiliate’s home games being played in Tempe, injured players could have the opportunity to practice and get G-League game reps as they work their way back to full strength.
Follow the conversation with Lina Washington on Twitter: @LWashingtonTV. If you have a sports story idea, email Lina at LWashington@12News.com.
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