PHOENIX – In the NBA G League, roster turnover is not only inevitable, it moves at a rapid pace.
The “G” only signs one-year, flat-base contracts with its active players. The addition of two-way and 10-day contracts, as well as more international opportunities for blossoming players, can make it difficult for a team to establish a winning culture.
The Valley Suns, the Phoenix Suns’ G league affiliate, are a perfect example. They finished last season with an 11-25 record and, to pour salt on the wound, were in the bottom five across the league in points (112.6), assists (24.4) and rebounds (42.1) per game last season.
Second-year coach Paul Jesperson knows that keeping a standard implemented in the club could make or break a season, and noted a pair of team “anchors” when asked who he will be leaning on to provide extra leadership and guidance in the locker room.
Koby Brea and CJ Huntley, both two-way players for the Phoenix Suns last season, were waived on Oct. 19 as part of final preseason roster adjustments and subsequently joined the Valley Suns’ training camp roster.
“First, credit to them for wanting to be here,” Valley Suns general manager Brendan Sabean said. “I think it speaks volumes to the culture that’s being set here, the fact that they want to continue to grow with us. They’ve been in the Suns’ organization under coach (Jordan) Ott’s system and the standards that are set, so we’re going to lean on CJ and Koby heavily to embody that here with the Valley Suns both on and off the court.”
Brea, who was taken in the second round (41st overall) of the 2025 NBA draft by Golden State, was subsequently traded to Phoenix where he shot 13-for-30 (43.3%) from beyond the arc last season in his 12 NBA appearances. He split the season between the big club and the G, averaging 33.4 minutes and 15 points in 25 games for the Valley Suns.
After his sophomore season at Dayton, Brea was diagnosed with Grade 3 stress fractures in both of his tibias. Rather than opt for immediate surgery, he played through the pain his entire junior year, before essentially being forced to undergo surgery in April 2023 after the pain worsened again.
The surgery required the insertion of metal rods into both of his lower legs, and left Brea unable to walk for just over a month. That didn’t stop him from rolling onto the court and practicing his shooting form while stationary in a wheelchair.
“It’s definitely what makes this special for me,” Brea said. “Players who go through this process can take it as a letdown, but for me it’s a blessing to be able to do what I love at any level.”
Huntley, meanwhile, went undrafted out of Appalachian State the same year. He signed a two-way contract with Phoenix in June 2025, but was waived before appearing in any games. The North Carolina native averaged 25.9 minutes, 16 points and 8.8 rebounds per game last season through 13 appearances for the Valley.
Phoenix summoned him again last spring, signing him to another two-way contract. His NBA debut in March made him the first Mountaineer to appear in an NBA regular-season game since Belus Smawley in 1952.
“Those guys both had great summers, growing in a variety of ways,” Jesperson said. “I’m looking forward to coaching them (for) a second year, and I think they’ll surprise people in a lot of facets that they struggled with at times last year.”
As Huntley and Brea juggle the implied responsibility of leading their team, they’ve also developed a bond that extends outside of the court. The two live in the same apartment complex, see each other nearly every day and play video games together, notably the NBA 2K series.
“He’s not that great at it, but he’ll keep working on it,” Brea said with a laugh.
“We’re two different personalities. He’s very quiet and I feel like I can be a bit more outgoing, but for some reason it complements each other. I think it’s translated really well to the court and being together for two years. Time plays a big part in that.”
Brea noted how their silent, eye-focused communication has improved and compared them to a “Shaq and Kobe” connection. They hope it will be on display when the Valley Suns tip off their season Friday against the San Diego Clippers in Oceanside, Calif.
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