LAS VEGAS — CJ Huntley’s first pre-draft workout was so good in early June, the Phoenix Suns wanted to see more from the Appalachian State big right before the 2025 NBA Draft.

“The first workout with Phoenix went really well, showed my lob threat, ability to play defense,” Huntley said. “That’s what brought me back. Second workout went even better.”

Advertisement

The 6-11 Huntley wasn’t drafted, but he signed a two-way deal with the Suns. He averaged 15.7 points on 49.3% shooting and 8.1 rebounds his fifth and final year with the Mountaineers.

“When I got that call to be a part of this organization, I was thrilled,” Huntley said. “I feel like I can jell well with these guys. So when I got that call, it means the world.”

Huntley has come off the bench in Phoenix’s first three preseason games as the Suns have started Oso Ighodaro and first-round pick Khaman Maluach in the frontcourt.

The Suns (1-2) face the Minnesota Timberwolves in their next summer league game Wednesday, July 16, at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas.

Advertisement

Huntley is averaging just 2.7 points and 3.3 rebounds so far this summer in Vegas, but has been active and ran the floor well, particularly in the opener last week against Washington.

Huntley posted eight points, five rebounds, a steal and a blocked shot in 19 minutes. He made four of his five shots from the field, with one being a two-handed power dunk over Alex Sarr off Khalif Battle’s penetration-and-dish.

Sarr was taken second overall in the 2024 draft and made NBA All-Rookie first team.

“Huntley turned up the bass,” ESPN’s play-by-play announcer Mark Jones said during the television broadcast from Thomas & Mack Center.

Advertisement

Huntley then showed the ability to finish the lob pass. He handed the ball to Yuri Collins, who then found him on the roll with the hook pass for another two-handed smash.

In the second half, Huntley caught Sarr again, this time off pick-and-roll action with Boogie Ellis. He received the pass and crammed one over Sarr with the right hand.

“(Huntley) reminds me a little bit of Jarrett Allen,” said Suns summer league head coach DeMarre Carroll in referencing the Cleveland Cavaliers center.

Carroll was an assistant with the Cavs last season. He and Allen were also teammates in Brooklyn for two seasons (2017-19).

Advertisement

“Just with his force to the rim. Anytime he gets it in the paint, he’s putting it in the rim,” Carroll continued about Huntley. “He’s just got to continue to keep rolling with force, keep playing with that force and keep developing and I think he’ll be OK.”

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.

Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suns CJ Huntley dunks on All-Rookie Alex Sarr, compared to Cavs big