Rising Stars: Suns unveil dynamic Summer League roster

July can feel like a desolate month for sports, particularly basketball. The NBA Finals and NBA Draft have come and gone. Free agency is still occurring, but it is winding down as teams have mostly filled their rosters (c’mon Phoenix Suns...fill that last spot!). Now we have...baseball. Pitch clocks and funny fonts on the backs of Nike jerseys. Yay.

This July will be different, however. We have less than a week before the Summer League starts, and the end of the month brings us Olympic basketball. The Summer League is just over the horizon. The California Classic started yesterday for those who are in dire need of watching some basketball, although it does not include the Suns.

And now, the Summer Suns lineup has been revealed.

Put on your scouting heat (is that a thing?), pull out your notebooks, and start your talent evaluation. The Summer Suns have numerous players who we will see with the big league club and/or will be playing for the G League Valley Suns.

Highlighting the Summer Suns roster is first found draft pick Ryan Dunn. Wearing number 0, this will be our first chance to see the defensive prowess that Dunn possesses in action. It will be his jump shot, however, that will be closely watched an analyzed. Considered to be the best defensive prospect in the 2024 NBA Draft, Dunn’s scoring numbers outside of the paint left plenty to be desired.

Second round pick Oso Ighodaro will be playing in Las Vegas as well. Listed as a forward, the connecting big man will be used in numerous ways. Will be get minutes at the five, especially considering there are no listed centers on the Summer Suns roster? Or will the Suns use him at the four? The story of his journey begins on Saturday.

Exhibit 10 signees Boo Buie and Tyrese Samuel, both of who could end up on the Valey Suns, will be on display as well. They signed with the Suns after not being drafted in June.

One of the more interesting names on the list is that of David Roddy. Roddy, who came to Phoenix in a trade deadline deal from the Memphis Grizzlies, played in 17 games for the Suns last season. The 23-year-old 6’4” forward is preparing to enter his 3rd season in the NBA. The Suns exercised his player option and are surely looking to evaluate what his value is with the organization over the summer.

Summer League tips off for the Suns at 8:00pm this Saturday night as Phoenix takes on the Golden State Warriors on ESPN2.