Mat Ishbia, new controlling interest owner of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury, talks to the media during a basketball news conference, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
In 1968, Arizonans submitted over 28,000 entries to name the Suns. Some of the ideas were “Dust Devils,” “Tumbleweeds,” “Scorpions,” and “Dudes.”
Minor league basketball is coming back to the Valley, and you have a chance to name the team.
The Phoenix Suns and NBA G League announced Feb. 14 that the Suns acquired the right to own and operate an NBA G League team.
That team is set to debut in the 2024-25 season and will play in the Phoenix metro area.
“Bringing a G League team to Phoenix was one of my first priorities as owner,” said Mat Ishbia, owner of the Suns and Phoenix Mercury. “Adding a G League team creates another area for us to compete to be the best and will be a vital tool to help develop players and coaches.”
Ishbia launched a contest to name the new team, similar to how the Suns were named in 1968 through a public contest. The person who submits the winning name will get season tickets for the team’s first season and a $1,000 cash prize.
To submit your suggestion for the team’s name, you need to include your name, email, phone number, and zip code.
A winner, along with the city where the team will play, will be announced this spring.
The Suns had a G League team in Prescott Valley from 2016 to 2021 called The Northern Arizona Suns. The Detroit Pistons bought the team and moved it to Detroit.
Subscribe to The Copper Courier’s daily newsletter! We keep it 💯—just like the temperature.
Author
Support Our Cause
Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Arizonans and our future.
Since day one, our goal here at The Copper Courier has always been to empower people across the state with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Arizona families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.
What to know about the 3 bowl games happening in AZ this winter
Learn about all three bowl games taking place this winter in Arizona: The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl, the 2024 VRBO Fiesta Bowl, and the Rate Bowl. ...
Here’s what you need to know about the Arizona State University women’s basketball team
The Arizona State University women’s basketball team is in its 50th season, and its first season as part of the Big 12 Conference. This is head...
Roller skating resurgence sparks interest in new and old roller rinks in Arizona
TikTok has been one of the biggest sources for roller skating inspiration in recent years as videos about the sport are uploaded to the social media...
Here’s when and where to watch every Arizona State University women’s basketball game this season
Arizona State University kicked off its 50th season of NCAA women’s basketball and first season as a member of the Big 12 in November. The Sun...
