Let’s take a look at the Summer Suns over the past decade.
The Summer League is a tradition unlike any other. Low stakes. High hopes.
It’s sloppy. It’s messy. It’s desperate. It’s a group of basketball players trying to either prove they were the right pick or prove everyone wrong on not being rostered as they fight for a spot.
It’s a raw basketball showcase strictly for the sickos. The casuals and even die-hard fans may tune into the highlights and catch a game here or there, but for those who will watch every second, this is for you, my fellow basketball junkie.
This Summer Suns squad has some unreal size, length, and athleticism. Guards? Don’t need ’em. Unleash point Oso!
The Suns Summer League roster has been released pic.twitter.com/kUCQ6rtIJr
— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) July 7, 2025
With the Suns set to set off their summer opener tonight against the Wizards, what better time to take a trip down memory lane to the Summer Suns of old?
Let’s dive into the last decade of Summer Suns squads.
2025 Key Players: Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro, Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming, Koby Brea, CJ Huntley, Yuri Collins
2025 Record: TBD
Now, this group may not have the sizzle that some of the best Summer Suns squads have had in the past, but they sure look the part. This is a long, athletic team with NBA size and should be imposing for the rest of the SL teams from a size and physicality standpoint.
- 2024 Key Players: David Roddy, Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro, Jalen Bridges, Michael Devoe, Isaiah Wong, Quinndary Weatherspoon, Boo Buie.
2024 Record: 2-3
This team had some talent, but they just couldn’t click. It was fun watching Oso and Ryan develop.
2023 Key Players: Toumani Camara, Hunter Hale, Grant Sherfield, Jordan Goodwin, Barry Brown Jr.
2023 Record: 2-3
Very uninspiring team, but Camara saved it. He (Camara) went out with a bang, averaging 16.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in his Summer League debut.
Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images
2022 Key Players: Louis King, Ish Wainright, Tyson Carter, McKinley Wright IV, Duop Reath
2022 Record: 3-2
This was a better-than-expected but ultimately boring team with very little hype. Shoutout to Suns legend, Duop Reath.
- 2021 Key Players: Jalen Smith, Kyle Alexander, Ty-Shon Alexander, Michael Frazier, Jaleem Smith, Justin Simon
2021 Record: 2-3
I mean, this was a forgettable team. Most were annoyed with the Smith pick, but ready to talk themselves into it. I was not. BORING!
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
2020 *Covid — No Summer League
2019 Key Players: Jared Harper, James Palmer Jr., Elie Okobo, Jalen Lecque, Raymond Spalding
2019 Record: 3-1
Another half-assed team. Yawn.
2018 Key Players: Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, Davon Reed, Shaq Harrison, Josh Jackson, Javonte Green, Jack Cooley (legend), Dragan Bender, Alec Peters, Elie Okobo, George King
2018 Record: 4-1
Now we’re talking. This was by far the most talented SL roster the Suns have had. 2015 may have an edge due to the Championship run and star power, but my lord, this was a deep team.
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
2017 Key Players: Mike James, Josh Jackson, Marquese Chriss, Dragan Bender, Davon Reed, Shaq Harrison, Derrick Jones Jr., Christian Wood
2017 Record: 2-4
This was a strange team. Talented in hindsight, but none of these guys were ready at the time. Player development and patience is the key… if only they had that with DJJ and Wood to a lesser extent.
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
2016 Key Players: Devin Booker, Tyler Ulis, Troy Williams, Alan Williams, Marquese Chriss, Dragan Bender
2016 Record: 4-2
Need I say more about this team? This was the Tyler Ulis game-winner Summer League. Never forget.
2015 Key Players: Devin Booker, T.J. Warren, Archie Goodwin, Mike James, Alex Len
2015 Record: 5-2
The “big four” of Booker, Warren, Goodwin, and James led Phoenix to the Summer League Championship, where they lost 93-90 to the Spurs led by Jonathan Simmons (MVP) and Kyle Anderson.
Top 5
- 2015 Summer Suns
- 2018 Summer Suns
- 2025 Summer Suns (tbd)
- 2016 Summer Suns
- 2017 Summer Suns
What a burst of nostalgia this exercise has been. I would keep going, but ten years is enough to process. It’s fitting that we tracked this back to Book’s rookie year after he signed the massive extension.
Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images
Alright everyone. It’s Maluach o’clock. Let’s have some fun!
Khaman Maluach shootaround. #Suns pic.twitter.com/USk3cSgpEZ
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) July 11, 2025
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