Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea make their introductions
Phoenix Suns general manager Brian Gregory introduces the team’s 2025 draft picks: Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea.
The Phoenix Suns introduced their 2025 draft class, Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming, and Koby Brea, at a press conference.The rookies expressed excitement and readiness to contribute to the team.
The Jr. Suns Youth prepped for Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea to run through their tunnel of bodies before the Phoenix Suns rookies approached the makeshift stage covered with black table cloths and Suns signatures as the backdrop.
The team’s 2025 draft class was introduced at a press conference Monday, July 7, at the YMCA on 69th Street and Shea Boulevard in Scottsdale, wearing matching black team polo shirts with an orange sunburst.
They enjoyed the environment, the interaction with the kids, but fully understood why they were there.
They are the future of the Suns, who are looking to establish a new identity after a 36-win season and an off-season highlighted by trading star player Kevin Durant.
Maluach: “I’m so excited to be here. I’m so excited to be here and be a part of this great culture. It’s a great opportunity. It’s just the beginning for me.”
Fleming: “I’m just super excited, super grateful to be with this organization. I just can’t wait to get to work.”
Brea: “I’m super blessed and honored to be a Phoenix Sun.”
Suns general manager Brian Gregory was all smiles sitting beside the three draft picks and explaining why the future is very promising with Maluach, Fleming and Brea in the fold.
“All of these three young men have had exceptional college careers, but they’ve all taken different journeys and different paths to get to this point,” Gregory said. “They’re just wonderful, wonderful young men, and we’re excited to have them representing our team and our organization moving forward.”
The Suns have already made major changes to their roster.
They traded Durant to the Houston Rockets and acquired Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and the 10th overall pick in the 2025 draft that wound up being Maluach, the 7-foot-1 lob finishing and shot blocking freshman out of Duke.
Bradley Beal appears to be on his way out. The Suns have been discussing a possible buyout for the three-time All-Star, league sources have informed The Republic.
With teams being able to sign players to contracts starting Sunday, July 6, the Suns still have work to do in free agency to put together a roster.
Phoenix is trying to get at least under the second tax apron. The Suns have more deals to pull off by the time training camp starts.
The Phoenix Suns rookies have arrived at YMCA on 69th and Shea.
Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea.
Got Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro and Collin Gillespie in the building along with Suns head coach Jordan Ott and CEO Josh Bartelstein. #Suns pic.twitter.com/UGg3YsHc5L
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) July 7, 2025
For the here and right now, the rookies took center stage and sounded confident that they could contribute as rookies.
“I just want to be able to show I can play in the NBA,” said the 6-7 Brea, drafted out of Kentucky.
All three will represent the Suns in the upcoming NBA Summer League, July 10-20 in Las Vegas. Phoenix plays its first game on July 11 against the Washington Wizards.
“It’s just learning how to be a pro,” Maluach said.
Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein, head coach Jordan Ott and players Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro and Collin Gillespie sat in front row reserved seating and showed their support to the rookies.
Brea, Malauch and Fleming, the 6-9 forward out of Saint Joseph’s, gave high-fives to the adoring Jr. Suns, while Dunn, Gillespie and Ighodaro all applauded with Ighodaro standing up and cheering.
Just a year ago, Dunn and Ighodaro were rookies. If anyone understands what the newcomers were feeling, it’s those two, who will also participate in the Suns’ summer league.
Dunn, Ighodaro, Gillespie, Maluach, Fleming and Brea had fun with the kids after the press conference.
Launching shots, sharing laughs and in the case of the defensive Dunn, blocking an unassuming kid’s shot from behind.
All good. All in fun. All the kids gave a stunned and hyped reaction.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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