{"id":501993,"date":"2026-03-03T22:04:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T22:04:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/501993\/"},"modified":"2026-03-03T22:04:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T22:04:18","slug":"valley-suns-spotlight-arizona-championship-roots-on-mercury-night","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/501993\/","title":{"rendered":"Valley Suns spotlight Arizona championship roots on Mercury Night"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a9 Valley Suns PR<\/p>\n

TEMPE \u2014 The Valley Suns paid tribute to one of the most successful franchises in Arizona basketball history on Monday, blending development with legacy.<\/p>\n

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\n\"March<\/p>\n

March 2, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Valley Suns forward CJ Huntley dunks against the Salt Lake City Stars. Mandatory Credit: Valley Suns PR<\/p>\n

The club paid homage to the 2009 Phoenix Mercury\u2019s championship season, wearing uniforms inspired by the Mercury\u2019s title run. The uniforms featured purple and orange accents and \u201cValley\u201d was displayed in the iconic Mercury font.<\/p>\n

Fans in attendance \u2014 many of them part of the X-Factor, Phoenix\u2019s passionate fan base \u2014 received mystery bobbleheads, T-shirts modeled after the players\u2019 jerseys, and other merchandise to commemorate the night. Mercury legend Bridget Pettis also made an appearance, capping off an evening filled with entertainment and cross-league support.<\/p>\n

\"March<\/p>\n

March 2, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Fans hold up their Phoenix Mercury bobble heads at the Valley Suns vs. Salt Lake City Stars game. Mandatory Credit: Valley Suns PR<\/p>\n

For the Suns, it was another night where the love from within the organization is felt on and off the court.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt just shows a continuity of the entire program [and] entire organization,\u201d Valley head coach Paul Jesperson said postgame, according to NBA digital reporter Shane Young. \u201cEverybody on the same page, pushing towards the same thing, whether it\u2019s the Mercury, the [Phoenix] Suns or the Valley Suns. We have a great streamlined communication amongst all the departments\u2026 It\u2019s awesome that they did a Mercury Night. It\u2019s great to see some familiar faces show up and support us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Valley Suns\u2019 Sean McDermott with a tough shot, but gets it in with the and one.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfa5: @wlopezde<\/a>#ValleySuns<\/a> #GLeague<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/gL1yuH27U8<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) March 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The continuity has become a working model for the organization. From the front office to player development, all three clubs believe in sustainability, clear communication and upholding the standard set by the teams that came before them.<\/p>\n

Mercury Night was a celebration, but also a recognition of the principles that have driven these franchises throughout their history. Longtime fans have witnessed that foundation being laid, while newer supporters are watching it come together in real time.<\/p>\n

\"August<\/p>\n

August 28, 2010; San Antonio, TX, USA; Phoenix Mercury players (from left) Temeka Johnson and Tangela Smith and Diana Taurasi and Kara Braxton and Penny Taylor wait for the start of the second quarter against the San Antonio Silver Stars during the first half at the AT&T Center. Phoenix beat San Antonio 92-73. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

At its core, it\u2019s about continuing to build on an established legacy \u2014 not just honoring the past but using it as a blueprint for what comes next.<\/p>\n

*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE<\/a> to unlock our premium content!*
\nWendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde<\/p>\n

CJ Huntley signs two-way contract with Phoenix Suns<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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