Archive - Valley Tales Newsletter

Thank you, Valley Tales readers

I’ll be spending the next few months assisting the Suns with internal storytelling and media outreach in a communications consultant-type role.

Nov 5, 2020 •

October 2020

Devin Vassell's former coach: 'This kid is a high-character gym rat'

Florida State coach Charlton "C.Y." Young first discovered Vassell, and developed a close relationship with the lottery prospect.

Oct 30, 2020 •

Onyeka Okongwu's former coach: 'He’s a young professional already'

USC assistant Jason Hart believes Okongwu will thrive on a team that needs rebounding and shot-blocking help.

Oct 28, 2020 •

Tyrell Terry's former coach: 'His shooting is real'

Stanford assistant Stanford Adam Cohen watched Terry's rapid ascent from under-the-radar recruit to the school's first one-and-done player.

Oct 26, 2020 •

Kira Lewis' former coach: 'He’s a low-maintenance, high-reward kid'

Alabama assistant coach Antoine Pettway has watched Lewis blossom from college basketball's youngest active player into a potential lottery pick.

Oct 23, 2020 •

Jalen Smith's former coach: 'When he’s challenged is when he’s at his best'

Maryland assistant Bino Ranson has been watching Smith since he was a seventh-grader.

Oct 22, 2020 •

Obi Toppin's former coach: 'He’s gonna be able to put pressure on the rim'

Dayton assistant Ricardo Greer watched Toppin morph into college basketball's Player of the Year.

Oct 20, 2020 •

Killian Hayes' trainer: 'Not a lot of point guards can pass the ball like he can'

Tyshawn Patterson, who works with Hayes on skill development, breaks down the 19-year-old French prospect.

Oct 19, 2020 •

Desmond Bane's former coach: 'He has a very strong identity'

TCU assistant Ryan Miller provides insight on Bane, a first-round draft prospect who has spoken to the Suns.

Oct 16, 2020 •

Tyrese Haliburton's former coach: 'He’s an elite passer, and he’s a willing passer'

Iowa State assistant Daniyal Robinson watched Haliburton develop from a three-star recruit into one of the top point guards available in the 2020 NBA…

Oct 15, 2020 •

What should the Suns expect from new assistant Brian Randle? Ask his former coaches

"He’s not a guy that’s afraid to pick up the mop," said Chris Lowery, who coached Randle at Illinois.

Oct 14, 2020 •

What we learned from the NBA Draft Combine virtual availabilities

Multiple first-round prospects say they have spoken with Phoenix during the pre-draft process. How could they fit with the Suns?

Oct 3, 2020 •

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