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 defeated the Washington Wizards 103-84 in their NBA Summer League opener.Koby Brea led the Suns in scoring with 19 points, shooting 4-of-5 from 3-point range.
LAS VEGAS – The Phoenix Suns took care of the Washington Wizards, 103-84, Friday, July 11, in their NBA Summer League debut at Thomas & Mack Center.
Second-round pick Koby Brea scored a team-high 19 points, hitting 4-of-5 from 3, to lead five Suns in double figures.
Ryan Dunn finished with 17 points and Boogie Ellis went for 16 points off the bench, going 4-of-6 from 3.
First-round selection Khaman Maluach posted 14 points and Oso Ighodaro posted a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds, with six coming on the offensive boards.
Phoenix led by as many as 26 points.
Here are five takeaways from the victory as the Suns continue Summer League action Sunday, July 13, against the Atlanta Hawks at Cox Pavilion.
‘Trying to be cautious’ with Fleming
Second-round pick Rasheer Fleming sat out the opening game with right knee soreness.
This is after getting up shots following practice and participating in the game-day shootaround.
Suns Summer League head coach DeMarre Carroll said the team is just “trying to be cautious” with Fleming, saying it’s partly a product of how hard the Suns have been practicing.
Carroll didn’t commit to Fleming playing Sunday, July 13, saying he needed to talk with the medical team. What Fleming can or can’t do in practice a day before the Atlanta game will factor into his availability.
“We’re just trying to be cautious with him.”
Suns summer league head coach DeMarre Carroll on Rasheer Fleming (right knee soreness) sitting out Friday’s game.
On if he’ll play Sunday: “I got to talk to the medical to see where he’s at. He’s definitely been working out.” #Suns pic.twitter.com/F5WETbFSBS
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) July 12, 2025Brea for 3
Brian Gregory was right.
He said Brea has been the nation’s top 3-point shooter the last two years.
The numbers show it. Brea led the nation in 3-point shooting in the 2023-24 season at 49.8% in his final year at Dayton. Brea followed that up by making 43.5% of his 3s last season at Kentucky as a fifth-year player.
The numbers don’t lie, but Brea displayed an effortless, smooth form to validate how well he shot the ball in college. He was a little loose with the ball, committing four turnovers, but lived up to his elite reputation as a 3-point shooter.
And yes, he is named after the late, great Kobe Bryant.
“Finally living the dream.”
Second-round pick Koby Brea after scoring a team-high 19 points, hitting 4-of-5 from 3 in Suns win over Wizards to open NBA Summer League play.
“It’s always good to see the first one fall. You know you’re going to have a good day.” #Suns pic.twitter.com/nyowPTKOCU
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) July 12, 2025Ball pressure, physicality
The Suns started the game with Dunn, their top defender last season, pressuring the ball to set a tone.
Playing with physicality and aggressiveness, the Suns scored 27 points off 17 Washington turnovers displaying active hands, feet and diving on the floor for the ball as Dunn did in the first half.
Ighodaro was imposing that 12 pounds of muscle he’s gained to control the boards.
The bigger point to all this is the Suns came into the game with a game plan and executed it. This is part of the culture shift the Suns are trying to establish.
Huntley running the floor, finishing
He’s a two-way signee, but rookie CJ Huntley showed why the Suns brought him back for a second workout before the 2025 draft.
The 6-11 big ran the floor extremely well and attacked the rim. He finished with eight points on 4-of-5 shooting and five rebounds.
The Suns played nine players as Huntley and Ellis saw the most minutes off the bench with 19. If Ighodaro plays just two games since he’s in his second NBA season, Huntley may see even more action to show his ability.
“I was excited to be out there, especially with this group of guys. I had to figure everything out. It’s a new game. It’s a new playing style. It’s a professional game. More spacing.”
Khaman Maluach after 14-point, 5-rebound effort in Suns summer league opener win. #Suns pic.twitter.com/WHc8DF7vuW
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) July 12, 2025Maluach for 3
The form is there. He has touch, but Maluach missed his first five 3s before nailing the final one from the top of the key in the closing seconds of the game.
Wait. The 7-1 big with the 7-6 wingspan took six 3s.
In his one-and-done season at Duke, Maluach attempted only 16 in 39 games, making four.
He finished 5-of-18 from the field, but Carroll said the Suns want him to keep hoisting 3s, saying Maluach can shoot.
Could this be a sign they want to play him and Mark Williams together?
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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