Suns Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
By Robert O'Neill on

The Phoenix Suns continue to make positive moves under new owner Mat Ishiba, as the team announced Wednesday it would retire the jerseys of Amar’e Stoudemire and Shawn Marion this season.

Phoenix made the announcement on X, posting, “31 & 32 forever,” to significant fanfare.

Stoudemire was drafted 9th overall by the Suns in 2002  and spent the first eight seasons of his career in Phoenix with no shortage of accolades, racking up five All-Star selections, one All-NBA First Team appearance, and being named the 2002-03 NBA Rookie of the Year. Stoudemire’s 11,035 points scored for the Suns is the seventh-best in franchise history, and his 4,613 rebounds are third-best in franchise history behind Marion and Alvin Adams. Stoudemire had not been around the organization much since retiring from professional basketball in 2020, largely due to his poor relationship with former Suns owner Robert Sarver, which Stoudemire detailed on former teammate Matt Barnes’ Showtime show in 2020, saying Sarver “had guys that could replace him” as he entered free agency in 2010, leading to Amar’e leaving the Suns for the New York Knicks.

Marion was also taken ninth overall by the Suns but in 1999. In his nine seasons with Phoenix, Marion was named to four All-Star teams and grabbed the second-most rebounds in franchise history, as his 6,616 boards trails just Alvin Adams’ 6,934. After being the subject of trade rumors for much of the offseason, Marion requested a trade during the 2007-08 season and was dealt to the Miami Heat in February of 2008.

Suns fans were over the moon after hearing the news.

 

 

[Phoenix Suns]

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